BISSELL Pet Foundation Blocktail party returns to East Grand Rapids

Dogs of all shapes and sizes will be at the Bissell Blocktail Party fundraiser in East Grand Rapids on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. The fundraiser benefits local, West Michigan animal welfare organizations with funds going to the Bissell Pet Foundation. (MLive File Photo)MLive.com | The Grand Rapids Pre

EAST GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The BISSELL Pet Foundation returns Tuesday night to bring pets and owners alike the biggest pet-friendly event of the summer: the Blocktail party.

The Blocktail party is returning for its 17th annual fundraiser for the BISSELL Pet Foundation. The party also thanks pet owners of West Michigan for supporting the national BISSELL foundation that helps shelters and pets nationwide.

The BISSELL Pet Foundation works with over 5,800 shelters across the country to provide procedures to shelter animals and fund adoptions ever since it began in 2011.

This year's party, at the East Grand Rapids High School track at 2211 Lake Drive SE from 6-9 p.m., will be Western-themed.

The founder, Cathy Bissell, grew up locally in Grand Rapids and wants to bring the love of animals back to her hometown.

Brittany Schlacter, BISSELL marketing and public relations specialist, coined this event "the best doggone party in town," kicking off the summer for foundation donors with a party that includes drinks, music and gourmet food.

"The great news is that you’re partying with a purpose, so 100% of the benefits go to support the BISSELL Pet Foundation's life-saving programs," Schlacter said.

This year, the event will feature celebrity guest and chef, Paul Wahlberg of Wahlburgers, grilling up burgers for the attendees.

"Puptails" will be available to those 21 and over from Tito's Handmade vodka as well as wine from the wine pull and the specialty Blocktail IPA, an acronym for the foundation's biggest mission: I Prefer Adoption.

DJ Adrian "AB" Butler will be spinning tunes while pet owners can get caricatures drawn by ArtPrize winner Chris Laporte. Attendees can also take pictures in the photo booth or enter the silent auction for the chance to win prizes.

There will also be adoptable dogs from local shelters and rescues there to greet the guests and potentially end up meeting their new pet parents by the end of the night.

With great weather in the forecast, the event is expected to bring out a large crowd. In the past, the event has raised around $550,000 for the shelters from ticket sales, sponsors and the silent auction.

All of this money will go back to programs such as creating reduced fees to adopt pets through the shelters they partner with, working on their spaying and neutering program, helping shelters with vaccinations and microchipping, as well as pet transport from overcrowded shelters into shelters better equipped to support pets.

BISSELL also started working on crisis and disaster response, helping animals recover from being left in natural disasters and helping them find a home.

"We are doing everything we can to fight the pet overpopulation crisis and to keep pets from ever ending up in a shelter," Schlacter said. "If they do, we’re going to help them find a home."

Schlacter said this event is perfect for pet lovers.

"Everybody's looking to make an impact for pets, and sometimes it feels good to get something in return," Schlacter said.

The ticket price for you and your pet is $100 online, but students who show a valid student ID can get their tickets for $50. There will also be a number of limited tickets available at the door for purchase.

The ticket includes food, drink and activities. Tickets are available for purchase online here.

Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free "3@3 Grand Rapids" daily newsletter.