Cornelia will mark the "dog days" of early spring Sunday at its PetFest 2012.

The event is scheduled for 2-4 p.m. at the new off-leash dog park, Club Canine, located adjacent to the Community House parking lot at La Vista and Front streets.

The festival offers fun and games for pets and their humans along with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 2 p.m. to open Club Canine.

Sponsorships are available to purchase at the entrance tent starting at $75.

There will be reptiles from Pets Gone Wild, police dog demonstrations by the sheriff’s department, a free petting zoo, pet vendors, a prancing pooch parade, Best Dressed Pet Contest and Best Trick Contest.

Several shelter/rescue groups will be on hand to assist in mobile adoptions of animals that need good homes.

"This is a great opportunity for a fun pet day for the community but to also help these abandoned, neglected or abused animals to find some much deserved love," said Heather Sinyard, Cornelia downtown manager. "I went home last year with one of the rescued dogs and have since rescued two more."

Northeast Veterinary Hospital will hold a rabies clinic. One-year vaccinations are $10, three-year vaccinations $20, plus micro-chipping for $35.

Admission is free; donations of pet food and supplies for shelters earn a gift while supplies last. Donations also can be dropped off in Cornelia at the depot or Cornelia Library and in Clarkesville at Grace Calvary Church.