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Cape May Court House – The Cape May County 4-H Youth Development Program announced the winners of the 4-H Pet Show held on July 22, 2023. This annual event, sponsored by Smeltzer & Sons Feed & Pet Supplies, is held each year during the 4-H Fair and is open to the public. The 2023 Grand Champion is 3-year-old Savannah Schumann and her 2-year-old Labrador Retriever, “Captain.” Smeltzer & Sons Feed & Pet Supplies will be providing Savannah with free pet food for “Captain” for an entire year. “Captain” also won longest tail, best trick, Best in Show dogs and Best in Show all pets.
The pet show is a fun event, with many classes in a variety of categories. There were ten different classes for children and their pets from dogs with the longest tail or the best trick or the rabbit with the longest ears and two new ones – most beautiful eyes, and best patriotic costume, in honor of this year’s 4-H Fair theme. There was also an adult category that consisted of three classes. Other winners included: Best in Show Rabbits/Small Furry Pets: Avery and Bella Dougherty and their 7-year-old Lionhead rabbit, “Ozzy Oz Bun,” who also won most beautiful eyes, Best in Show Reptiles/Amphibians/ Birds: Finely Halbruner and her pet duck, “Lemmon,” and Best in Show Adult Class: Charles and “Big Black Bart.” Ribbons were awarded in all classes and Best in Show trophies were awarded in each division.
Linda Horner, 4-H Youth Development Program Coordinator, said, “We want to thank our judges, Cape May County Clerk Rita M. Rothberg and Dr. Gary C. Pavlis, Acting Department Head, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County, and our sponsor Smeltzer & Sons Feed & Pet Supplies for their continued support of our 4-H Pet Show. The 4-H Youth Development Program is a success because of the support it receives from local businesses such as Smeltzer & Sons and our many volunteers.”
Besides being a great time and a favorite activity for our visitors, the purpose of the pet show is to provide an informal opportunity for people to get acquainted with 4-H. To Learn more about the 4-H Youth Development Program at https://capemay.njaes.rutgers.edu/ or call 609-465-5115, ext. 3605.
The 4-H Youth Development program is part of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station and Rutgers Cooperative Extension. 4-H educational programs are offered to all youth, grades K-13, on an age-appropriate basis, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.
Judges Dr. Gary Pavlis and Cape May County Clerk Rita M. Rothberg with 3-year-old Savannah Schumann and her 4-H Pet Show Grand Champion “Captain” a 2-year-old Labrador Retriever, her mom Suzanne and Suzanne Smeltzer. Savannah won a year’s supply of pet food from Smeltzer & Sons Feed & Pet Supplies, sponsors of the annual event.
