Spring Fling
2025
Sunday, April 13
12-6pm
Koka Booth Amphitheatre
Annual Dog & Cat Fundraiser
About Spring Fling
What is Spring Fling & Who are we?
Who?
Spring Fling Annual Dog & Cat Fundraiser is the pet project (see what I did there?)
of Amy, the owner of Unleashed, the Dog & Cat Store.
Unleashed is a local, independent, dog & cat nutrition store with locations in Raleigh, Cary, Durham, Wilmington, and Southport, NC.
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What?
The idea is to put on a fun, community event that is a celebration of spring and pets and raises awareness
(& donations) for local area animals in need.
Where?
NEW location starting 2023
After 9 wonderful years at the NC State Fairgrounds, (which is also where Unleashed got
it's start,) we tried a new venue for 2023, and will be there again in 2024:
Koka Booth Amphitheatre
8003 Regency Parkway
Cary, NC 27518
Click here for directions and parking.
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For more details about the venue, please check out our Locations Page!
When?
We aim to host the event annually within a week of Easter,
as one of our main attractions is our HUGE doggie Easter Egg Hunt. With an early Easter for 2024, we pushed the date back a little later.
2024 date:
Saturday, April 27
12 - 6 pm
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Why?
We love animals, and spring, and our community!
Spring Fling focuses on the bright side of a rather grim situation and provides a fun day of making a difference.
69,396 cats and 36,518 dogs were euthanized in North Carolina shelters in 2015¹.
That’s over 105,000 pets across our great state being euthanized every year.
There are hundreds² of rescue organizations around the state manned by compassionate volunteers doing everything they can to reduce these numbers. To be able to put a dent, even just one, in over 105,000, these rescue organizations need more volunteers, fosters, adopters, supplies, and your support.
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We work hard everyday to help dogs and cats, including hosting fundraisers like adoption events and dog washes at our stores. We collect donations from manufacturers and customers daily.
We offer a standing discount to all local rescue organizations.
We host raffles in our stores and donate to raffles that local rescue groups have.
But we felt we could still do more.
So we created Spring Fling.
Unleashed's owners and employees contribute countless hours to making this event a success.
We enjoy raising funds and collecting donations that are all split between all of the rescues that take part. We also enjoy celebrating our amazing community and of course, seeing all the happy animals!
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¹2015 Public Animal Shelter Report available at http://ncagr.gov/vet/aws/Fix/documents/2015AnimalShelterReport12-29-16.pdf.
What to Expect
Spring Fling is FREE and all are welcome, including kids and leashed pets! Bring the whole family to spend a day outdoors and enjoy some of the following highlights:
Local Vendors: Including handmade products, dog trainers, dog groomers, pet boarding facilities, pet photographers, artists, and more! Follow the blog to learn about who is coming!
Local Rescue Groups, Shelters, and other Animal Welfare non-profits with adoptable pets: Meet animals available for adoption, connect with rescue groups, find out how to volunteer and more! Follow the blog to find out who is coming!
HUGE Doggie Easter Egg Hunt: Take your dog on an egg hunt with thousands of prizes, including the Grand Prize Egg- 1 YEAR of FREE Super Premium Pet Food from Unleashed! Participation is by donation which goes to local rescues. Pre-registration is encouraged. Follow the blog for pre-registration!
Raffle: Enter to win amazing gift baskets, including a $100 gift certificate from Unleashed! 100% of donation goes to rescues/shelters.
Food & Ice Cream Trucks: Check out the blog to find out who is coming.
Live Music: Follow the blog to find out who is coming!
Lots of Dogs! And puppies & cats too!! Sometimes other pets show up too!
Bounce House: free fun for the kiddos!
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To see the sponsors, vendors, food trucks, rescue groups, and more that have joined us in the past, check out the blog!
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Come one, come all, and tell everyone you know! ​
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Cost to attend?
FREE
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What ages should come?
ALL Ages!
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Can pets come?
Absolutely!
Please have pets on a leash at all times. Leash should be 6' or less and not retractable.
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What if I don't have pets?
Please come!
There will be lots of pets of all ages and sizes that would love to meet you (you might even want to
adopt one of them...)
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Is everything free?
Attending is free and most activities are too.
We do require a donation for the Easter Egg Hunt & raffles to raise money for the local rescue groups.
For more Easter Egg Hunt & Raffle details click here.
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Can I donate?
Yes!
We are collecting supplies, used & new, in addition to money, that will be divided evenly among the rescue
groups in attendance. You can bring items/money to the event or drop them off anytime at any Unleashed location.
Find donation requests here! Donate online here!
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Who will be there?
In addition to your hosts, Unleashed, there will be dozens of local vendors, showcasing their goods or services. There
will also be dozens of local rescue groups showcasing their group and their available animals.
Check out our new blog for updates on who will be there!
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Can I adopt a pet?
There will be dozens of local rescue groups and shelters in attendance with adoptable pets.
Connect with the rescue groups and find out their adoption processes.
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What if it rains?
Bring your rain coat!
The event is rain or shine and we always have fun!
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Will there be food?
Yes!
See which ones on our new blog!
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Where do I park?
There will be free parking in the venue owned lots located outside the venue's main gate/box office. For more details, click here.
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How much is parking?
FREE
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Are there prizes or freebies?
YES!
Many of our vendors & sponsors will hand out freebies. Egg Hunt Participants
(donation to enter) will get a nice tote bag filled with goodies and find lots of eggs with vouchers for prizes of all
sizes, including the Grand Prize 1 YEAR supply of Free Super Premium Pet Food from Unleashed!
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Is there an easy way that I can help?
YES! Spread the word and share!!
Tell everyone you know! Make social media posts, hang flyers, post to NextDoor, FB groups,
etc. The more people that come, the more we can help the local area animals in need.
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Can I volunteer?
YES! ​
FAQ's
Pictures
Check out pictures from our past years!
