RED BAY | Sporting fancy costumes or just the coat they came in, a host of dogs – and even a cat – walked the runway that is the entrance to Red Bay Acres on Sept. 19 to have some fun and raise support for Red Bay’s pet shelter.
The recreational vehicle campground on 9th Street West hosted the event last week for guests staying at the park. The goal was to have fun and raise both awareness of and support for the City of Red Bay’s pet shelter and the animals housed there. Both were accomplished with a lot of fun. Red Bay Acres manager Pam Baureis said when the final count was tallied, the event – which she hopes if the first of many to come – raised $941 from park guests, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the shelter.
“This is just such a wonderful event, and we are so appreciative of Red Bay Acres and the guests and their desire to help us take care of the animals housed at our shelter,” said Red Bay Mayor Charlene Fancher. Prior to the start of the pageant, Fancher gave a welcome to those in attendance and shared how she and her husband, Jerry Paul Fancher, had fallen in love with one of the strays taken in at the shelter and had come to adopt the dog. She said the funds raised will help the city provide for the needs of the dogs at the shelter and she hoped more people would also become aware of the need for the dogs there to be adopted as well.
Every dog, and even the cat, came through the front doors of Red Bay Acre’s campground store to be presented to the crowd. Joseph Baldwin, emcee for the event, introduced each dog and told a little bit about them, such as their likes, their dislikes, and how many states they had been in. Peppered with humor along the way, the crowd enjoyed the introductions as well as seeing the pups’ excitement as Fancher presented each of them with a “pup cup” treat. One of the dogs that was a crowd favorite, Rosie, a Morkie Poo dressed as a ballerina and owned by Barry and Carol Berger of Titusville, Fla., appeared to be doing a little ballerina pose as she excitedly licked at the pup cup Fancher gave her.
Baureis said the idea for the event came about after she and others became aware of the needs of the pet shelter and wanted to do something to help. She said several of those staying at the campground quickly jump on board with the idea and got the ball rolling.
“We get quite a few strays here (at the campground),” Baureis said. “When we can we take them to the vet and get what they need and then the shelter comes and gets them. I know there is a strain on the shelter in Red Bay, and the guests love dogs and puppies, so we thought this would be a great, fun way to help support the shelter.”
In addition to donations from those in the campground, several area businesses pitched in to help. A massive gift basket with goodies for the pet and owner was donated, along with other prizes, such as pet carriers. Those donating prizes included Big Star, Piggy Wiggly, Sunshine Mills, Halligan’s Pizza, Lost Pines, Joseph Baldwin, Jennie Poole, Corner Valley Grooming, and guests of Red Bay Acres. John and Lydia Gillquist, of Wichita, Kansas, were the grand prize winners. While this event was limited to just guests of the campground, Baureis said she hopes it will be possible to expand future events to include the public, too.
