Bringing a Pawsitively Fun Event to Cochrane on July 19th!
Planning Furry Fun Fest has been one wild (and wonderful) ride so far â and we wouldnât have it any other way! What started as a casual conversation between Jana Husmann Real Estate and Sylvia Penner, owner of Pet Valu Cochrane, quickly turned into a full-blown community event, built around our shared passion for pets, people, and supporting the Cochrane & Area Humane Society (CAHS).
We kicked things off with a few brainstorming meetups (and lots of coffee!), where ideas flowed faster than you could say âbest-dressed dog contest.â From agility games to obedience challenges, pet-friendly vendors to food trucks â we knew we wanted this event to be something special for both two- and four-legged attendees. And finding the Lions Event Centre as our location was the cherry on top. Itâs central, spacious, and the perfect backdrop for a community celebration like this.
Once our vision was clear, we hit the pavement â literally. We went door-to-door to chat with local businesses, invited them to join us as sponsors or vendors, and share in the fun. The response has been incredible. Weâve also been reaching out to local food trucks (because no good dog party is complete without good snacks!) and working closely with the Lions Centre to bring everything together.
We also want to give a special shoutout to Shelly from the Lions Centre â she has been an absolute dream to work with. Every idea weâve thrown at her, sheâs embraced with enthusiasm and has gone above and beyond to help us make this vision a reality. Thank you, Shelly!
Thereâs still tons to organize, coordinate, and prep before July 19th â but with this powerhouse team, it doesnât even feel like work. Weâre having a blast bringing this event to life, and we know itâs going to be something truly special for Cochrane.
Stay tuned â weâll be sharing another update soon with all the latest event details, vendor announcements, and sneak peeks. Trust us, you wonât want to miss whatâs coming next!
Make sure to follow Jana Husmann Real Estate and Pet Valu Cochrane on social media for real-time updates, giveaways, and more furry fun!
Update April 25, 2025
Furry Fun Fest Update â Things Are Coming Together! đŸ
Itâs been a whirlwind of planning lately â busy, exciting, and honestlyâŠso much fun! As we get closer to Furry Fun Fest on July 19th, we just wanted to share a quick update and a huge thank you to everyone whoâs been part of this journey so far.
From sponsors to vendors and everyone in between, weâve been blown away by the support, enthusiasm, and kindness. Every conversation has been a reminder of how amazing our community is. Youâve all been an absolute dream to work with, and itâs making this event something truly special!
Weâre thrilled to announce that food trucks are officially confirmed, La Casita, El Nopal, the Neaoplitan Express and Little Valley Bagel Co will be there, so come hungry â thereâll be something tasty for everyone. And we havenât forgotten about the little ones! Thanks to the generous support of Rocky Mountain Marine & RV, weâll have free face painting for kids at the event, adding even more fun for families.
Stay tuned â weâve got even more exciting announcements coming soon, and trust us, you wonât want to miss whatâs next!
Make sure to follow Jana Husmann Real Estate and Pet Valu Cochrane on social media for all the latest updates, sneak peeks, and giveaways.
A special thanks to Abby at Happy Dogz Cochrane for all your help, you truly are a Rockstar!!đ©”
We canât wait to see you all at the fest!!!
Weâre beyond thrilled to announce that the Calgary Corgi Racers will be joining us at this yearâs Furry Fun Fest - and theyâre bringing the zoomies with them!
Get ready for one of the most adorable events of the summer: Corgi Races! Whether youâre a longtime fan of these short-legged speedsters or just discovering the magic of corgis, you wonât want to miss the excitement as they dash, waddle, and wiggle their way to the finish line.
But thatâs not all! The Calgary Corgi Racers will also be hosting a Meet & Greet Station, giving festival-goers the chance to get up close and personal with some of the cityâs most beloved four-legged athletes. Snap a selfie, give a belly rub, and meet the humans behind the racers - this is a great opportunity to learn more about the breed and the positive impact this community-focused group is having across Alberta.
The Calgary Corgi Racers arenât just about fun and games (though theyâre incredibly good at that too!). This heartwarming organization is all about building community through a shared love of dogs - specifically the short, sassy, and endlessly lovable corgi.
They regularly organize local meetups, educational events, and charity drives that support animal rescues and dog-related causes throughout the Calgary area. Their presence at Furry Fun Fest brings not only cuteness and energy, but also a spirit of giving and community connection that aligns perfectly with everything our event stands for.
Weâre so proud to welcome them to the festival and canât wait to watch the crowd light up with joy when the races begin!
Mark your calendars, grab your camera, and prepare your heart - because the corgis are coming, and itâs going to be pawsitively unforgettable. đŸÂ
đŸ Planning Furry Fun Fest: Chaos, Coffee, and a Whole Lot of Heart đŸ
https://janahusmannrealestatecochrane.blogspot.com/
Let me be honest- planning an event like Furry Fun Fest is no joke.
When I first decided to bring this wild, pet-filled vision to life, I thought it would be simple: find a few sponsors, a handful of vendors, maybe a food truck or two... easy, right? Fast forward to today, and I can tell you- itâs a full-time job on top of everything else I already do.
Itâs late-night emails.
Itâs endless follow-ups.
Itâs trying to make sure everyone feels seen, supported, and excited to be part of something special.
From chasing down food trucks (they book up FAST), to finding sponsors who believe in your vision, coordinating vendor info, organizing timelines for demos, and trying to not forget anything important... itâs A LOT. And just when I think Iâve got a handle on things, thereâs always one more thing to do. One more message to send. One more decision to make.
Iâd be lying if I said it hasnât left me mentally fried some days.
But hereâs the thingâŠ
Despite the chaos, the pressure, and the exhaustion, itâs so, so worth it!
This event has brought some of the most incredible people into my life or closer into my circle. People who jumped in without hesitation, who said, âWhat do you need? Iâve got you.â That kind of support is everything.
Tim Hall - our official event photographer and unofficial comic relief- has not only helped brainstorm some amazing ideas but also kept me laughing when I wanted to cry.
Abby at Happy Dogz - the one who runs with every crazy idea I throw her way and makes me feel like anythingâs possible.
Stephanie Flieler at WFG - who grounds me when Iâm spinning in twenty directions at once, and reminds me to breathe.
Madiv- Stephanieâs daughter and the self-declared âCuteness Ambassador,â who lights up every room she enters.
And of course, Sylvia Penner -Â my co-host, my rock, my sanity. She listens when I rant, gets things done when I canât, and brings a sense of calm to every bit of chaos.
Letâs not forget Shelly at the Lionâs Centre, whoâs gone above and beyond to help make this event possible, always saying âyesâ when she could have said âthatâs not my job.â
The connections Iâve made through planning this event mean more to me than words can really express. In the middle of all the logistics and planning madness, Iâve laughed, cried, learned, and grown.
So yes, this event might be a little chaotic. And yes, weâre juggling a hundred moving pieces. But I truly hope everyone who shows up will feel what I feel - the heart behind it all. The love. The community. The shared goal of doing something good for the animals at CAHS, and creating something fun and memorable for everyone who comes.
So come prepared for some madness, a whole lot of laughter, and a community coming together for a great cause.
Iâll probably be the slightly frazzled one with a clipboard and coffee in hand- but Iâll also be the happiest person there, knowing this all came together with a whole lot of hustle and even more heart. đŸđ
I am grateful for the amazing people I have in my life!!
Furry Fun Fest Featured in K9 Force Newsletter!Â
Weâre beyond thrilled to share some exciting news - Furry Fun Fest has been featured in the K9 Force newsletter! Seeing our community fundraiser highlighted by such a respected local organization is incredibly heartwarming and encouraging.
đ Click here to read the full K9 Force newsletter!
Planning the Furry Fun Fest has been a truly rewarding experience. Itâs not just about putting together a fun event - itâs about building community, connecting with passionate pet lovers, and supporting a cause close to our hearts: the Cochrane & Area Humane Society. Every step of this journey has led to meaningful conversations, new friendships, and a growing sense of excitement as the event day gets closer.
One of the amazing connections we've made is with K9 Force, a Calgary obedience training club that does outstanding work with dogs and their owners. A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending one of their club events, thanks to a lovely invitation from Isabella. I was so impressed by the level of discipline and connection between the dogs and their handlers, it was inspiring to watch the dedication and teamwork in action.
Thatâs why Iâm incredibly excited to announce that K9 Force will be joining us at Furry Fun Fest to host a live obedience training demonstration! This will be such a fun and educational addition to the day. Not only will it be amazing to see the dogs in action, but itâs also a fantastic opportunity for community members to learn about the club, their training programs, and how theyâre helping build stronger bonds between people and their pets.
Whether youâre a dog owner looking for training tips or just love watching talented pups in action, this is one part of the event you wonât want to miss.
Stay tuned for more updates, and be sure to visit our event website to learn more about our vendors, sponsors, and all the tail-wagging fun we have planned.
Letâs make this Furry Fun Fest the best one yet - see you there!!!
Furry Fun Fest 2025 - Thank you to Our Incredible Sponsors! đ
The countdown to Furry Fun Fest is on, and we couldnât be more excited to bring this special day to Cochrane in support of the Cochrane & Area Humane Society. But none of it would be possible without the incredible support of our generous sponsors - local businesses and individuals who stepped up to make this event happen.
We want to extend a heartfelt thank-you to all of our amazing Gold Sponsors, who helped turn a fun idea into a full-on community celebration:
Cochrane Roofing
Don't Panic Mechanic
Ben Bronsch at Nutters Cochrane
King Flooring
Lindzee Kashmere â Mortgage Broker
Prominent Homes
Elevate Financial
Rebecca Penner, CPA
Flirt Cosmetics
Elysia Ostrander at Pawsitive Families
K9 Force Calgary
The Calgary Corgi Racers
Foxy Box Cochrane
Jamie Ayles at Parkway Real Estate
Kendra Gale at Miniature Horsemanship
Nina Brunton from Cheshire Farm
Prairie Seashell
DJ Jurassic Mark, Mark Haynes
Rocky Mountain Dog
Heather Vanek at Spirit of the West Osteopathy
Rocky Mountain Marine & RV
Happy Dogz
Tim Hall - our event photographer capturing all the special memories
Each one of these businesses and individuals plays a vital role in making the Furry Fun Fest an unforgettable day for animal lovers, families, and the community at large. Your support makes a difference, and weâre so thankful to have you as part of our team.
We also want to give a big shoutout to the Cochrane Lionâs Club Event Centre for providing such a wonderful space for the fest - and to Shelly, for being so helpful, supportive, and solution-focused throughout the planning process.
And of course, thank you to Abby and Tim for rolling up your sleeves and helping behind the scenes - your hands-on support means everything!
We can't wait to see everyone on Saturday, July 19 for a full day of furry fun, food trucks, games, dog contests, vendors, and live demos - all in support of a cause that touches so many hearts.
Letâs make this the most paw-some event yet! đŸđ
#FurryFunFest #ThankYouSponsors #SupportLocal #CochraneEvents #CAHSFundraiser #YYCLovesPets #CochraneStrong
Behind the Scenes of the Furry Fun Fest
We met up with the amazing Tim Hall today who was filming some marketing magic for our fundraiser event supporting @CochraneHumaneSociety đ
Letâs just say⊠trying to run with a bunch of very excited dogs while filming? Absolute chaos. đ Sylvia from @PetValuCochrane and I could barely move - we were laughing so hard we almost forgot to run!
And just when I thought I was done being upstaged⊠my own pup ended up in an obedience demo like a total pro.Â
This event is going to be packed with laughs, wagging tails, and heartwarming moments. Canât wait to see you all there!Â
 #CochraneEvents #CAHSFundraiser #DogEvent #BehindTheScenes #PetFriendlyFun #DogLoversUnite #YYCDogs #SupportLocal #FurryFunFest2025
Furry Fun Fest Featured on Cochrane Now!
What a wild (and wonderful) surprise! While I was out dropping off the event poster for Furry Fun Fest at Cochrane Now, I had no idea Iâd be pulled into the studio for an impromptu radio interview!
Big shoutout to Eric and Lauren for being such incredible hosts - they were so welcoming, supportive, and genuinely excited about the event. I originally just stopped by to ask if they could put up our poster, and next thing I know, Iâm chatting with them about all things furry, fun, and festive.
We talked about the Cochrane & Area Humane Society, the amazing vendors and sponsors who stepped up to support the event, and the incredible lineup planned for July 19th - including contests, food trucks, demos, adoptable pets, and more. It was such a fun and memorable experience, and Iâm so grateful to our local radio station for giving this community fundraiser a voice.
đ» Be sure to tune into 91.5 FM to catch the radio ad airing throughout the week!
đ° And to read the full article online, click here:
đ https://cochranenow.com/articles/furry-fun-fest-set-to-unleash-tail-wagging-fun
The Furry Fun Fest is all about bringing our community together for a cause that truly matters - and thanks to Cochrane Now, even more people will hear about it.
Canât wait to see you all on Saturday, July 19 at the Cochrane Lions Event Centre!
#FurryFunFest #CochraneNow #RadioLove #SupportLocal #CAHSFundraiser #YYCDogs #CochraneEvents
A Fun-Filled Afternoon at the Furry Fun Fest Preview!
What an absolutely pawsome afternoon itâs been! The Furry Fun Fest sign is officially up, and we spent the day capturing some marketing footage to give you a little sneak peek of whatâs to come on July 19th - and letâs just say, it was nothing short of tail-wagging fun!
We had everything from rodeo-style doggy races (yes, using the horse chutes!) to a mini ice cream party and a playful agility course setup - and the pups loved every second of it!
A huge thank you to Ryan Armstrong at RD3 Productions for being there to film the action and capture some truly fun-filled moments that we canât wait to share. And an extra big shoutout to Happy Dogz for not only bringing their amazing dogs out for the fun but also for organizing this little get-together.
Youâll see Happy Dogz at the event as a vendor, and theyâll also be treating us to some incredible agility performances that your furry friends wonât want to miss!
Weâre also incredibly grateful to the Cochrane Lions and the Event Centre for being so welcoming and supportive. If youâre ever planning a local event and looking for a space thatâs flexible, accessible, and well-loved by the community - whether youâre going big or small, indoors or outdoors - the Lions Centre is truly the perfect spot.
We also want to give a big thank you to Shannon at Prairie Seashell for coming out to join the fun today! Shannon is not only one of our amazing Gold Sponsors, but sheâll also be at the event as a vendor, ready to pamper your furry friends with spa-like care. Her gentle touch and love for animals truly shine through everything she does, weâre so lucky to have her on board!Â
Here are a few snapshots from this fun and furry afternoon. We hope they bring a smile to your face and get you even more excited for the big day!
đ Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 19, 11am - 4pm
đ Location: Cochrane Lions Event Centre
đ¶ Come out, bring your furry sidekicks, and join the party!
#FurryFunFest #FFFPreviewDay #HappyDogz #RD3Productions #CochraneLionsCentre #DoggyRodeo #AgilityFun #CochraneEvents #YYCDogs #SupportLocal #CAHSFundraiser
Celebrating the Community Behind the Scenes of the Furry Fun Fest
The Furry Fun Fest is more than just a celebration of our four-legged companions - itâs a reflection of the incredible support, generosity, and heart of our Cochrane community. While the spotlight often shines on the pets, games, and contests, we want to take a moment to recognize the amazing local businesses and media partners who quietly worked their magic behind the scenes to make this event possible.
From promotion and event logistics to creative design and essential services, these local champions stepped up in the most meaningful ways:
Sure Print â Cochrane Sure Print & Copy Thank you for helping bring the Furry Fun Fest to life in print! From posters to handouts, you made sure our event is seen, shared, and beautifully represented all over town.
Mr. P. Potty â MR P Potty Ltd You might not be in the spotlight, but trust us when we say your contribution is essential (and very appreciated!). Thank you for making the festival comfortable and clean for all our guests.
Designerish Media â DesigneRish Media Your creativity and eye for detail will help to showcase the heart and soul of the FFF. Thank you for your talent, time, and support behind the lens.
Cochrane Now â CochraneNow Weâre incredibly grateful for your help in spreading the word and rallying our community to come together. Your ongoing support means the world to us!
RD3 Productions â A huge thank you to Ryan Armstrong for capturing all the behind-the-scenes moments leading up to the Furry Fun Fest - and for being there to do the same on event day! Your talent helps us tell the full story, from the quiet prep work to the big, joyful moments. Weâre so grateful for your support and creativity!
The Cochrane Eagle â Cochrane Eagle Thank you Izaiah for being a voice in the community and helping us shine a spotlight on the Furry Fun Fest. Your coverage and enthusiasm added to the energy and excitement leading up to the event.
To each and every one of you: THANK YOU. Whether you donated time, services, resources, or support - this event wouldnât be the same without you.
The Furry Fun Fest was truly a community-powered celebration, and weâre beyond grateful to have such kind-hearted businesses and media teams in our corner.
With heartfelt appreciation,
Jana and Sylvia
A little more behind the scenes !
Weâre SO excited to welcome the Calgary Corgi Racers to this yearâs Furry Fun Fest! đŸđšÂ
Get ready for short legs, big speed, and even bigger smiles! These little powerhouses are bringing pure joy and tail-wagging fun to the fest - donât miss it!Â
 #CorgiRaces #FFF2025 #FurryFunFestÂ
Grateful for Local Support: Thank You, Cochrane Eagle! đŸ
Weâre thrilled to share that the Cochrane Eagle has published a wonderful article about our upcoming Furry Fun Fest - and we couldnât be more grateful for their time, support, and community spirit.
As a grassroots event organized to raise funds for the Cochrane & Area Humane Society, having local media like the Eagle take the time to shine a light on our efforts means the world to us. Their article helps us spread the word far beyond our own networks - bringing more attention to the animals in need, the incredible local businesses participating, and the fun-filled day we have planned for dog lovers and families across the region.
To the team at the Eagle: thank you for your continued support of local causes, events, and people. You help bring our community together - and we appreciate you more than words can say. đ¶â€ïž
Read the article here: https://www.cochraneeagle.ca/local-news/first-furry-fun-fest-launches-in-support-of-local-humane-society-10912559
#FurryFunFest #CochraneCommunity #ThankYouCochraneEagle #SupportLocal #CAHSFundraiser