Don’t Bring Your Pets to Festival International—Here’s Why

(KPEL News) - More than half the population in the state of Louisiana owns a pet, and just like gathering with family for fun, pet owners love to take their pets wherever they go. Even though we want to take them everywhere we go, Festival International is not a place for pets.

Most responsible pet owners know that if you live in Lafayette Parish, you are required to have your pets on a leash when taking them outside. While people, for the most part, honor the local law, pets should stay home when they are not in a safe environment.

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The Lafayette Animal Shelter and Care Center has a great post up on Facebook about remembering that festivals are not a good place for your fur friends.

READ MORE: FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL 2026, EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

The message is simple and to the point. During Festival International, leave your pets at home.

Here are the following reasons, dealing with safety, on why they recommend pets stay at home:

• The music is loud.
• The pavement is hot.
• Festival International has tons of people listening to great music, dancing to their favorite performers, and enjoying delicious food.

This, from their post, sums it all up: "Festival International is a NO pets event."

The forecast calls for temperatures in the 80s this week, and your fur friend is likely going to feel much better in the cooler temperatures at home. You also don't want their paws exposed to pavement that will likely heat up.

Another thing to consider is that at any festival, there can be a wide range of things that will fall on the ground, and all it takes is for you to turn away for a few seconds before your pet gobbles it up. That can lead to all kinds of trouble for your pet.