By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

The Chilton County Humane Society is gearing up for its Easter Petting Zoo and Pony Rides event on April 8 at Goose Pond Park.

The event will feature two Easter Egg hunts this year: one at 11 a.m. for children up to age 7 and another at 1 p.m. for children 8 to 12.

New for this year, the Jemison High School FFA will provide the petting zoo. Humane Society president Katherine Reece said she was excited about the students being involved.

“The kids can not only pet the animal, but they can also talk to the person that is holding the animal, asking them what it likes (etc.), ” Reece said.

A variety of games and races including inflatables, Lucky Duck, Easter Egg race and egg roll will be featured.

The event will start at 10 a.m. and close at 4 p.m.

“It’s our biggest spring fundraiser. In the spring, we have the problem of needing extra funds because of the puppy and kitten season,” Reece said.

Reece said the number of animals the shelter receives per month can nearly quadruple in the spring months.

This year the entry fee is $5, which covers all of the games and activities, except for the pony rides. Pony rides will be an additional $5 paid to the vendor. The pony ride vendor donates a portion of their proceeds to the Humane Society.

Reece said there will be a limit of one of each prize game per person.

The Easter bunny will also be onsite for families to take pictures with.

Food will be available for purchase.

Although the Humane Shelter will be closed, adoptable dogs and cats will be featured at the event.

Reece encouraged those who are serious about adopting on this day to file an application online to be preapproved for adopting

The form can be accessed at http://chiltoncountyhumanesociety.org/ by clicking on cats or dogs (whichever animal one is interested in adopting) then clicking on “online application.”

Reece thanked sponsors Stokes, Lewis Machine Company and Connell’s Pest Control for helping make the event possible.