A great day for dog-kind as crowds of people flock to fundraiser (From Thisisdorset)
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A great day for dog-kind as crowds of people flock to fundraiser
12:00pm Monday 17th September 2012 in Latest By Joanna Codd
PAWS FOR THOUGHT: Owners and their pets in the show ring.
AROUND 2,000 people attended a Dorset animal charity’s most important fundraising event of the year, providing a welcome boost to coffers at a time when more pets than ever are being abandoned and mistreated.
Margaret Green Animal Rescue’s annual companion dog show and fun day was one of several events postponed earlier in the summer because of bad weather.
But the rescheduled event at the charity’s Church Knowle centre in Purbeck could not have been timed better, with the day staying dry, but not hot enough to lure people to the beach instead.
“It’s our biggest fundraising event of the year. We were really disappointed that we had to cancel it in July. You always wonder how it’s going to go the second time around, but generally it’s gone really well,” said spokeswoman Lou Keeling.
“We’re delighted with the turnout – we’ve got some fantastic supporters and we’re so grateful to all the stallholders. Three bands have come to help us today and they’ve all performed for free, so we’ve been really lucky.”
As always, the 17 dog classes proved a popular draw, with some people showing pets they had adopted from the charity in categories ranging from Heinz 57 varieties, best fancy dress, best OAP and the dogs most like their owners to best pedigree sporting dogs.
Actor and charity patron, Edward Fox, and Jeremy Keeling of Monkey World joined forces to judge the winner of the best dog rehomed from Margaret Green Animal Rescue.
“It was all about their stories,” explained Lou.
A parade of dogs in need of homes also tugged at the heart strings, with several people expressing an interest in adoption.
They will have to fill out a questionnaire and undergo a home check before they can take one of the pooches home.
The charity currently has 400 animals needing good homes, not only dogs and cats, but also rabbits, horses, rats, mice, rabbits, sheep, pigs and guinea pigs.
“Everything we raise goes to animal welfare,” said Lou.
“More and more animals need our help these days.”
