Register as a Rescue or Shelter

*Note: Spaces anticipated to fill quickly.

Wonderland Tails Rescue nonprofit is excited to announce that we are hosting New York’s largest adoption event, Pickles & Paws, on May 30, 2025, at Southaven County Park in Yaphank, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This event raises awareness of rescuing animals and working towards a kill-free state.

In addition to the animal adoption portion of the event, Pickles & Paws features a pickle festival and tons of family fun! This fun and quirky addition is designed to create extra excitement and bring even more foot traffic. Combining a festival atmosphere with animal rescue efforts, this unique twist will draw in a diverse crowd and support our mission.

We are offering free spaces to participating rescues and shelters to promote your cause and connect with the Long Island and New York communities. In appreciation of your partnership, we give a donation to every rescue and shelter that participates.

The event features:

• Live music

• Axe throwing, face painting, fairy hair, & other interactive activities

• Foam party

• Food trucks

• Artisan & Maker Vendors

• Special contests with prizes

• An adoptable animal fashion show

• Raffle basket auction

• Beer/beverage garden

As a participating rescue/shelter part of your responsibilities include sharing of the digital and print assets (provided by Wonderland Tails Rescue) for promotion to your local community and followers and to accept collaboration requests on social media for cross promotion of the event.

Each participating rescue/shelter will be featured throughout the event through promotional, marketing, and on-site recognition, including social media mentions, a clickable link on the event website, inclusion on event signage/event booklet, press release mentions, stage acknowledgements, opportunities to showcase adoptable animals during the pet fashion show, puppy yoga, and additional visibility opportunities.

We kindly ask each participating rescue or shelter to contribute, in good faith, one raffle basket valued between $75–$100, to be provided at event check-in on the day of the event.

While event proceeds primarily support the production and execution of Pickles & Paws (including safety, staffing, staging, tents, and marketing), the event is intentionally designed to generate real adoption outcomes, applications, awareness, and long-term support for participating rescues and shelters.

Following the event, and after all event expenses have been fully covered, any remaining net proceeds will be distributed back to participating rescues and shelters. The amount of any post-event donation will be entirely dependent on funds raised and cannot be guaranteed, but our goal is always to reinvest any available surplus back into the organizations that make the event possible.

Above all, Pickles & Paws exists to create meaningful connections between adopters and animals — and to support rescues through visibility, engagement, and real adoption success.

Additional details regarding check-in procedures and basket collection will be shared with confirmed participants closer to the event date.

Please submit your application as soon as possible if you’d like to participate, as space is limited. While we are thrilled to host this event at a Suffolk County Park, available spots for rescues and shelters may fill up quickly. We ask for your commitment to ensure a successful event, as we may have to turn away interested organizations if space is full.

Previous participating rescues/shelters will have first right to refusal through January 2nd, 2026. If you are a previous participating rescue/shelter and would like priority acceptance, your application must be submitted by January 2nd in order to receive guaranteed acceptance for the 2026 event.

Additionally, all participating rescues and shelters will be required to have insurance, listing Wonderland Tails Rescue and Suffolk County as additional insured entities and certificate holders. Upon confirming your participation, we will send you detailed insurance information and instructions.

We recommend that your setup include adoptable animals, adoption applications, and any other literature to share your rescue’s story and mission with the attendees. Please note all rescues/shelters are responsible for providing their own tables/tents/chairs, etc if necessary.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to join forces for an amazing day of rescue awareness, community engagement, and fun! We look forward to partnering with you to create a memorable and impactful event with the added wacky fun of our pickle festival.

Complete the form below for consideration. Please note that registration does not mean acceptance. Your organization will receive an acceptance/denial email within 48 business hours of form submission.