Area pooches will take the plunge Saturday at the Soggy Doggy Pool Party to benefit the Friends of the Prairie Grove Pound.
The third annual fundraiser at the Prairie Grove Aquatic Park will include vendors with pet-related products, sponsor give-aways, nail trims for $5 and food.
Soggy Doggy Pool Party
What: Dogs-only swim, vendors, food, T-shirts
When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday
Where: Prairie Grove Aquatic Park
Tickets: $10 per dog; admission for humans is free
Information: (479) 301-4897 or friendsofpgp.wix.co…
Proceeds from the swim soiree will help the nonprofit Friends organization support the pound's services, providing well-animal checks, vaccinations, microchipping and spaying or neutering for all pets adopted from the pound.
Sharon Glover, Friends vice president, said the group takes in approximately 200 cats and dogs annually and spends an average of $1,500 to $2,000 per month on veterinary bills for those animals. The work the group does is entirely funded from donations and fundraisers.
The organization's Barn Cat Program has proved to be a success. Glover said the shelter takes in a number of feral cats who are not socialized and not likely to be suitable as house pets. "Their best chance at a good life is to be spayed or neutered and live in barns and on land." The cats help control snake and mouse populations in a non-toxic way, making it a "win-win situation" for the cats and owners, Glover added.
Volunteer opportunities in the group include laundering pound animal bedding, fostering adoptable dogs or cats, event promotion and implementation and donating or collecting items to be used at the pound or sold at the group's booth at The Locals Craft and Flea Market in Prairie Grove.
-- CARIN SCHOPPMEYER
NAN Our Town on 08/20/2015