Auburn has gone to the dogs, and the rest of the country has taken notice.

The City’s award-winning Petpalooza, a local mardi gras for beloved animals, invades fittingly, Game Farm Park, next Saturday.

It is an organized and domesticated zoo, a furry festival for Fido and friends.

For one day, pet owners and their leashed dogs, cats and other critters will roam and rule the park and bask in the spotlight of a uniquely designed event devoted exclusively to them.

Because of the community’s genuine love affair with animals, however big or small, Auburn has put its paw prints on one of the country’s largest and most successful pet-happy shows of its kind.

Good weather willing, this spring’s fourth rendition is expected to attract between 12,000 and 15,000 folks. Event organizers have extended Petpalooza to three hours next Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., in a bid to pull in evening pet walkers interested in catching some dinner.

“It’s quite cool. It’s a fun event to work on,” said Kristy Pachciarz, Auburn Parks, Arts and Recreation special events coordinator and the person primarily responsible for bringing the idea here. “It’s just interesting, just from the questions we get. It’s just a fun event.”

And the most obscure request?

“Someone wondered if people can bring goats,” Pachciarz said.

The growth of the free festival can be tied to the numbers alone. The inaugural event drew about 60 vendors and 5,000 people. Those numbers have increased incrementally each spring.

The festival immediately received widespread praise. For letting the dogs out, the City received its share of regional, national and international awards for the event’s purpose, innovation, promotion and effectiveness.

Petpalooza will shine again next weekend. It will feature a 3K/5K dog trot, 150 mostly pet-related vendors, animal-related entertainment, a petting area and pony rides, pet contests, agility areas, a noon pet parade, low-cost wellness exams and vaccinations, micro-chipping, pet adoptions, grooming and other services, promotions and giveaways.

Local sponsorships have picked up. National pet companies have joined the lineup.

Part of the event’s effectiveness is adding experts in various pet-related fields to join a festival already filled with food and entertainment. Pet owners can learn something new, and stay for the fun.

Pet festivals are not uncommon. They are effective fundraisers and awareness events around the country, in places like Independence Park in Charlotte, N.C., and Hudson Valley, N.Y.

Pachciarz first saw some semblance of a pet festival while working as recreation manager for the City of Pearland, Texas, south of Houston.

Paws in the Park took root but was never entirely big there. However, the event intrigued Pachciarz.

When Pachciarz moved to the Northwest, she noticed how many families brought their pets to various events. As an owner of two dogs and a cat, Pachciarz understands that pets are an important part of the family.

“I thought it would be successful, especially here because people are great animal lovers and it’s a great climate,” Pachciarz said. “People love to be out there with their pets.”

The event is not a major moneymaker for the City, but it does well on its own. Volunteers come out to support City staff in making it work.

Parking might be a problem. Plenty of patience is recommended, given the volume of people and pets.

But for the most part, the festival attracts responsible owners with obedient pets, making it a must-see event.

For all friendly furry friends in mind.