Taft pooches, people prepare for Paws in the Park
June 19, 2008
On Saturday, June 28 Unity Animal Rescue will host its first annual “Paws in the Park” event at Veterans Memorial Park in Taft.
Paws in the Park will be a celebration of Taft dogs, with agility courses, pet portraits, police dog demos, and a variety of doggie contests including an owner/dog look-a-like contest and a doggie costume contest.
The event is being held in an effort to “educate the public about the plight of homeless and abused animals,” according to event promoters, and will raise money to support Unity Animal Shelter’s efforts to reduce the animal euthanasia rate in Taft, which has recently had numbers as high as 90 percent according to former police Chief Burt Pumphreys and the Taft City Animal Shelter.
Currently Unity Thrift Store funds much of the no kill efforts, with additional funding coming out of owner Trixie Hodges’ pocket.
Hodges takes trips to areas outside of Kern County two or three times a month or more, she says, often taking with her over a dozen extra passengers in tow; all these passengers are dogs. “It’s quite a drive over here, but it’s worth it,” says Hodges.
In addition to providing a safe haven for abandoned dogs or those which may provide a financial hardship to their owners, Hodges provides spay and neuter assistance to those would otherwise be unable to afford it. Dogs are taken over once or twice a week to Stockdale Vet in order to have these procedures done. Hodges regularly donates food to needy animals, and is also currently working to raise awareness of Giardia, a common disease that affects dogs. Giardia is a parasite that infests the small intestine and can be transmitted to humans.
Sponsors of next Saturday’s event include
The Taft Independent
The Little Red Wagon
Taft Crude Coffee Shop
Hot Rod Catering
The Holland Inn & Suites
Unity Thrift Store
Maricopa Police Officer’s Association
Asian Experience
Joyce Properties
Friendly Antiques
A & A Express, LLC
Brown & Reich Petroleum
Gloria and Daryl Tofte
Nestle Purina Pet Care
Pride Athletics Flying J Mechanical
Hot Taps Serive
Web Design by Gunter
Ray and Lodema Hatch
The event kicks off at 9:00 a.m. and goes until noon. The cost is free, with food, water and soda available for purchase.
Paws in the Park will be a celebration of Taft dogs, with agility courses, pet portraits, police dog demos, and a variety of doggie contests including an owner/dog look-a-like contest and a doggie costume contest.
The event is being held in an effort to “educate the public about the plight of homeless and abused animals,” according to event promoters, and will raise money to support Unity Animal Shelter’s efforts to reduce the animal euthanasia rate in Taft, which has recently had numbers as high as 90 percent according to former police Chief Burt Pumphreys and the Taft City Animal Shelter.
Currently Unity Thrift Store funds much of the no kill efforts, with additional funding coming out of owner Trixie Hodges’ pocket.
Hodges takes trips to areas outside of Kern County two or three times a month or more, she says, often taking with her over a dozen extra passengers in tow; all these passengers are dogs. “It’s quite a drive over here, but it’s worth it,” says Hodges.
In addition to providing a safe haven for abandoned dogs or those which may provide a financial hardship to their owners, Hodges provides spay and neuter assistance to those would otherwise be unable to afford it. Dogs are taken over once or twice a week to Stockdale Vet in order to have these procedures done. Hodges regularly donates food to needy animals, and is also currently working to raise awareness of Giardia, a common disease that affects dogs. Giardia is a parasite that infests the small intestine and can be transmitted to humans.
Sponsors of next Saturday’s event include
The Taft Independent
The Little Red Wagon
Taft Crude Coffee Shop
Hot Rod Catering
The Holland Inn & Suites
Unity Thrift Store
Maricopa Police Officer’s Association
Asian Experience
Joyce Properties
Friendly Antiques
A & A Express, LLC
Brown & Reich Petroleum
Gloria and Daryl Tofte
Nestle Purina Pet Care
Pride Athletics Flying J Mechanical
Hot Taps Serive
Web Design by Gunter
Ray and Lodema Hatch
The event kicks off at 9:00 a.m. and goes until noon. The cost is free, with food, water and soda available for purchase.
