TURNERS FALLS — Dog owners or just people who appreciate these animals, this is an event for you.
The Mutts in Need annual fundraiser, hosted by the Friends of the Franklin County Regional Dog Shelter, will be held on Aug. 11 at 3 p.m. at the Millers Falls Rod and Gun Club on at 210 Turners Falls Road. The fundraiser features live music, food, a cash bar, live auction, raffle, door prizes and a shelter alumni parade.
“This is our biggest fundraiser for the shelter,” said Shelter Director Leslee Colucci. “All of the money raised goes directly to the care of the dogs and the operations of the shelter.”
Colucci said the shelter sees 200 to 240 dogs a year and, while some are lost dogs that are returned home, others are strays that not only need a home, but can require veterinarian care.
One to five dogs need extensive vet care a year, according to Colucci, which she said can get expensive.
This is the sixth year of the fundraiser, and Colucci said she hopes that this year’s will be as successful as last year’s event.
“Last year, we raised roughly $20,000 and we hope to get the same amount this year,” Colucci said.
Items for the auction include tables, hand-made quilts and others. Raffle prizes include a tailgate party basket featuring a grill or a garden basket with a wagon.
Another highlight of the fundraiser is the shelter alumni parade — where adopted dogs get to walk down a red carpet and a short biography about how they came to the shelter is read, said Colucci.
“When they walk down the carpet, coming back looking like princes and princesses after they’re adopted, it’s fun to watch,” said Colucci. “Last year, there were 25 dogs that participated.”
Colucci said the fundraiser is made possible because of generous donations from volunteers.
The operation of the shelter itself, also relies on volunteers, with two paid employees funded through the Franklin Country Sheriff’s Office.
“Ninety-eight percent of the work is all volunteer-based,” Colucci said. “We couldn’t do it without them.”
For those interested, tickets are $25 a person and include a buffet and live music. Further information can be found on at http://fcrdogkennel.org or by calling 413-676-9182.