June 19, 2009 - New Orleans, LA: Strike up the music cher; it’s time to celebrate! Camp Bow Wow® New Orleans invites friends and neighbors to join them at a ruff’n and rolling Grand Opening festival and block party on Saturday, June 27th from 10am to 5pm. The upscale Doggy Day and Overnight Camp in the newly renovated National Maritime Union Hall building at the corner of Tchoupitoulas and Washington Streets, has pulled all stops to guarantee a howling good time for families and their fur-footed family members. Admission is free.

Camp owner and leader-of-the-pack Diane Cooke is celebrating the opening of her puppy palace NOLA-style. Rousseau Street will be closed during the fete to accommodate all of the food-stands, vendors and special guests joining the fun. Joel Silverman, host of Animal Planet’s, “GOOD DOG U” and his faithful co-star Foster, an animal actor, will be grand marshals for the day. The duo is currently on a 90-city tour to promote Silverman’s new book, What Color is Your Dog? Silverman will conduct two seminars focusing on the philosophy behind his successful career as an animal trainer, answer questions and sign copies of his book. Foster will assist him in demonstrations during the seminars.

“We’ve planned a dog-gone wild afternoon for people and pups of all ages,” said Cooke. “Joel and Foster’s appearance is the icing on our cake! We love that he shares our philosophy and trains every creature he’s worked with as a unique individual. At Camp Bow Wow we get to know all of our fur-footed campers as individuals to ensure that we give them the attention and care they want and need to be happy and healthy.”

The guest list doesn’t stop there. Pet communicator and energy healer Ira Dressner from New York will also make a personal appearance at the event. “So many of us share unique bonds with our dogs,” continued Cooke, “that we can communicate with them in our own ways. We’re thrilled that Ira will be on hand to share some of the insights he’s gained through his abilities to communicate with pups.”

Make a memory with a pup-trait taken by Lil Pals Pet Photography. Have a dog, who likes to roam? Stop by the Magazine Street Animal Clinic mobile unit to inquire about getting microchip identitication for your pup. They’ll have veterinarians on hand to implant a free microchip in the first 100 pups to stop by. The only cost those lucky puppy parents will be the annual $15 chip registration fee (payable by check or credit card only). Talk with training experts from Canine Refine, representatives from the Invisible Fence Company NOLA and Urban Dog Magazine. Or try fashions by local designers. Puppy parents can also tour the Camp and register for door prizes while their children enjoy doggy art activities and their pups join in a special hot dog hunt. Hungry humans can satisfy their cravings with yummy treats, such as snow cones, ice cream, ham sandwiches and BBQ. WLMG-FM’s Steve Suter will broadcast live from the festivities from 11am to 1pm. Live bands will be appearing after 1 pm!

What would a grand opening at Camp Bow Wow be without the dogs? So bring yours even if he hasn’t had his interview yet. They’ll just have to remain leashed while the pups, which have passed a Camp Bow Wow interview, can romp in the play yards. Camp Counselors will be on hand to watch leashed pups while their parents tour the facility.

For more information about the Grand Opening Festival and Block Party at Camp Bow Wow of New Orleans, or to schedule an interview day at camp, please call 504.891.DOGS (3647) or visit www.campbowwow.com/neworleans.

About Camp Bow Wow®

Where a dog can be a dog®

Camp Bow Wow is the premier doggy day care and overnight camp in North America. Although every state-of-the-art Camp Bow Wow facility is as unique as its owner, all provide welcoming environments designed with the amenities needed to ensure that the dogs in their care have the exercise, socialization and nurturing they need to maintain their health and happiness. Pups are encouraged to play and romp with each other in the camp’s large outdoor and climate-controlled indoor play yards. Overnight guests are assigned to a spacious private cabin furnished with a comfy cot and fleece blanket.

All campers at Camp Bow Wow are supervised by a staff of Certified Camp Counselors® trained in pet CPR and first aid, dog behavior, safety and health management. To ensure the happiness and safety of all campers, the camps are staffed with 1 counselor for every 15 campers at all times. Proud puppy parents can look in on their campers by logging on to the Camp Bow Wow New Orleans website to watch the real-time activities in the play yards broadcast by one of the many Camper Cams® installed around the camps.

All campers are required to participate in a free interview day before they can attend day or overnight camp. Canine campers must be neutered or spayed if over 6-months old, up to date on their rabies and distemper vaccinations, have had a Bordetella (canine cough) vaccination within the last six months, and be in good general health.

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View Company Website: http://www.campbowwowusa.com