Word out of the Tompkins Square Park Dog Run is that Beggin' Strips — manufactured and sold in North America by Nestlé Purina PetCare division — will sponsor
the Halloween Dog Parade for the next five years (starting this fall). According to a tipster, the deal is worth $20,000 a year. (Beggin' Strips
"are mouthwatering dog treats with an aroma that bacon-craving dogs love.")
We heard a mixed reaction from dog owners. One disappointed dog runner claims that Nestlé will be calling all the shots about what transpires during the event, now in its 23rd year. The dog run/First Run is a registered 501(c)(3) organization that "relies entirely on community donations for its upkeep and financial support," per its
website. So another regular figures that the money will help maintain the dog run.
Meanwhile, no word if the new corporate sponsorship will put an end to any
risqué costumes ...
[
From last year, via Stacie Joy]
Updated 11:36 a.m.
Via the comments from Garrett Rosso, volunteer manager, Tompkins Square dog run
This year's Halloween dog parade in Tompkins Square park will focus on rescue groups and pet adoptions from Rescuzilla, Grateful Greyhounds, The Mayor's Alliance for NYC Animals and Friends of Animal Rescue. Beggin' Strips will help underwrite the cost of the parade & adoption event as all public events require large amounts of money that our group can not afford.