What started as a small benefit concert in 2016 has grown into a three-day music festival that not only celebrates local talent but also raises vital funds for animal shelters across the Coast. Frets for Pets, founded by Dimitri Curtis, once began as a humble “Show Us Your Cans” food drive and has since blossomed into one of the area’s most unique charitable events.
This year’s festival proved to be its most successful yet. Curtis shared that Frets for Pets raised an impressive $11,426 for the Humane Society of South Mississippi, Jackson County Animal Shelter, Tired Dog Rescue, and the Spay Neuter Impact Project. The donations will go directly toward medical care like spay and neuter surgeries, heartworm treatment, and vaccines—essentials that make adoption more accessible for families.
The lineup was stacked with talent, including bands who traveled long distances to play for the cause. Dreamstereo made the trip from Texas, Ghostlings came from Mobile, Whisper Party drove in from New Orleans, and Jackson sent both Die With Nature and Weak Hearts. “They traveled a long way just for the cause,” Curtis said. “Super grateful for that.”
Curtis, a lifelong music lover, says his inspiration came from a desire to give back to the community he now calls home. “After years of going to concerts, I wanted to host one that was for a good cause,” he explained. When he asked the community what cause they’d most like to support, the answer was clear: local animal shelters.
Since then, Frets for Pets has become a staple for both music fans and animal lovers. The event now spans three days, featuring nine to ten bands across multiple genres, DJs, artists, vendors, raffles, gaming setups, and even a dunk tank (which once had a near-disastrous “hot water” mishap Curtis laughs about to this day).
For Curtis, the heart of the event lies in the community spirit. “Seeing so many people take time out of their lives to support such an event for a great cause is fulfilling,” he said. “We want to showcase local musicians, starving artists, and businesses that care about the community they’re in. It really is multiple walks of life coming together for the greater good.”
Curtis, his wife, and their own rescue pets—Phoebe the dog and cats Lil Girl, Lil Man, and Mr. Business—know firsthand the struggles that shelters face daily. From neglected animals to overcapacity kennels, he believes raising awareness is just as important as raising money. “What Frets for Pets does is work,” he noted, “but what the animal shelters do—that’s the real work.”
Looking ahead, the festival could expand beyond the Coast, with interest already brewing in New Orleans and Texas. But for now, Curtis says three days of music, art, and community is plenty.
Those who missed out this year can still get involved through donations, volunteering, or even performing in future events. Updates are posted on the Frets for Pets social pages, and Curtis encourages anyone interested to reach out directly at [email protected]
