Layla, the namesake of Layla’s Pet Costumer Parade, is pictured.

The Chautauqua County Humane Society’s 2025 Pet Expo takes place a couple of weeks before Halloween – but pets don’t have to wait until Halloween to get dressed up.

The expo will include Layla’s Pet Costume Parade on Oct. 18 at the Northwest Arena in Jamestown. The expo takes place from noon to 5 p.m. with the pet costumer parade taking place at 2 p.m. Admission to the expo is $10 and tickets are available now at Chqhumane.org.

Layla’s Pet Costume Parade is at the heart of the expo, said Brian Papalia, Chautauqua County Humane Society fundraising and communications director. Participation in Layla’s Pet Costume Parade is open to all pets that are comfortable in that environment. Costumes are not required to participate, because not all pets are comfortable in them. CCHS will have some free costumes on hand for those that would like to dress up.

“Layla’s Pet Costume Parade is a nod to the Walk 4 Paws events that CCHS had held in the past, but more importantly it is to honor a little dog with a huge spirit,” Papalia said.

Layla and her mom, Kathy Peterson-Vanhorn, took part in the Walk 4 Paws for many years with the TRC Paw Walker team and have the trophies and ribbons to prove it.

“Layla would ride the course of the walk in a little wagon, that her friend Fern Bertch would always have a fun creating the theme and costume,” Papalia said. “One of the crowd’s favorites was her Jaws costume. Cathy says that her favorite was from Star Wars when she was Princess Layla.”

At the age of 17 years old, Layla passed away in late October 2024. Papalia said Layla left a legacy of love and kindness that many will never forget. Beyond the walk she was also a kind supporter to staff and clients at The Resource Center. Papalia said the idea of CCHS Pet Expo ’25 came up just days before Layla’s passing,

“When we found out that Layla had passed, I thought naming the pet costume parade after her would be a very fitting tribute. CCHS Executive Director Jane Babinsky and the Board of Directors were all in immediate favor of honoring Layla not only this year, but for years to come.”

For more information visit Chqhumane.org. Media sponsors of Pet Expo 2025 are The Post Journal and Media One Radio Group. Sponsors include Subaru Loves Pets through the Shults Auto Group and Jamestown Container Companies. Support has also been received from the KC Venezie Charitable Foundation, Supportive Divorce Solutions, Greater Chautauqua Federal Credit Union, Kinetic, JB Liquor, Lifted, and Casella.