Adopt-a-Dog aims to make up for rain out

Saturday, 24 October 2009 17:28

Poor weather dampened a local animal shelter's largest fund-raising event of the year, and the organization is seeking donations to make up for the loss.

Adopt-A-Dog, a nonprofit rescue, shelter and adoption organization dedicated to finding permanent homes for adoptable dogs and cats, hosted its 22nd annual Puttin’ On the Dog show and festival Oct. 18 at the Roger Sherman Baldwin Park in Greenwich, Conn. Only 100 people showed up, a tremendous drop from the 5,000 in total attendance last year.

"It was a total washout; a total disaster," says Adopt-A-Dog President Allyson Halm. "Not only is Puttin' On the Dog our biggest fund-raiser, we also missed out on the opportunity to showcase our dogs up for adoption."

The festival, which opened at 10 a.m., shut down 3-and-a-half hours early. Animals available for adoption were returned to the organization's Armonk, N.Y. shelter early due to the bitter, rainy weather conditions.

Last year, Adopt-A-Dog raised about $60,000 at the event. A bulk of these funds came from the $5 to $10 festival admission price. Adopt-A-Dog depends solely on tax-deductible donations and fundraiser proceeds to support its work.

"We're hoping that families who were planning on coming will consider sending us a donation," Ms. Halm said.

Donations can be made to the organization's corporate office at Adopt-A-Dog, 849 Lake Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06831. More information is online at http://www.adopt-a-dog.org/.