When 10-year-old Batavia resident Luke Laudolff drowned two years ago while on vacation in Michigan, Bobbi Panter felt helpless.

“My friends were so distraught,” Panter said. “At the wake, I said I wanted to do a pet carnival in Luke’s name, and Joanne, his mother, just lit up.”

This year, Panter will organize the second year of the Luke Laudolff Pet Carnival.

The event will feature pet massages, a pet psychic, pet caricatures and new this year is a silent auction, which Panter said she hopes will help make the carnival twice as big.

All proceeds will go to Anderson Animal Shelter in South Elgin, where Luke Laudolff volunteered during the last four months of his life.

“The thing (Joanne) said to me was that so many people promised things when it happened and no one comes through with it,” Panter said. “This is a wonderful event for them, no question about keeping it going.”

Panter, who owns a line of dog care products, has known Joanne Laudolff since high school. She said she was shocked when she heard about Luke’s death.

“You never know what life is going to throw your way,” Panter said. “It’s just kind of, be gentle and giving. That’s kind of the message.”

Joanne Laudolff said the pet carnival is a great way to remember her son.

“He was quite an animal lover,” Laudolff said. “It’s a good way to remember him, help the animals and keep Anderson going.”

Laudolff said that while the first year of the carnival was an emotional time for her and her husband, Paul, she wanted it to be positive.

“He was a big any-kind of animal lover, but he especially loved cats and dogs,” Laudolff said.

Luke’s dog, a Sheltie named Georgia, will attend the carnival Saturday to help carry Luke’s legacy on.

“He loved her dearly,” Laudolff said.

“He was very warm, friendly and loving,” Laudolff said. “He had a different way of looking at the world. He loved fun, loved friends and people. So we remember him like that, like how he was; happy. Kind of a little butterfly that went around and spread joy.

The Pet Carnival will take place at Petco Geneva, 1885 s. Randall Road, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 11.

Petco Geneva’s manager Tony Giese said the event also is in honor of a Petco employee who died in a car accident last year and the event is a successful way to raise money for Anderson Animal Shelter.

“It’s all for a good cause,” Giese said. “(This is a way) to bring it all together.”

Laudolff said they are encouraging people with or without pets to come.

“People can stop by and just see what it’s about,” Laudolff said. “Bring kids, bring pets. It’ll be a celebration of life and animals.”