April 9, 2008

Scrubbing Dogs to Save Lives

If you feel passionate about dogs, you won’t want to miss the Scrubbing Dogs to Save Lives Dog Wash and Adoption Event on Sunday, April 13 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Bark Til Dark Dog Park, 1277 Hills-Miller Road. Ohio Wesleyan’s PetPals is co-sponsoring the event.

“Pet Pals is the only animal welfare organization on campus,” says PetPals president Pooja Dutt `09. “We regularly volunteer at the Humane Society of Delaware County by walking dogs and playing with other animals, but we’ve wanted to branch out beyond that to see what else we can do to help.”

Both Dutt and PetPals secretary Lauren Smith `09 want to raise awareness about animal welfare, particularly the horrors of puppy mills. They urge people who want to buy a dog to consider visiting the Humane Society before purchasing a dog from a pet store.

“If you buy a dog from a pet store, chances are that dog came from a puppy mill,” Dutt says. “You have the power to save a life by rescuing a dog from a shelter, and they’re often already trained. You can find dogs of all ages and breeds in a shelter.”

“Having a pet is a real commitment,” Smith adds. “In the long-run, dogs from shelters are usually healthier than dogs purchased from pet stores.”

With spring around the corner, Dutt and Smith thought a dog wash would be a good way to raise money to help stop puppy mills. Their event became larger than they expected when they began working with members of other animal rights awareness groups, Ban Ohio Dog Auctions and the Companion Animal Protection Society. The dog wash has also turned into an adoption opportunity.

“Previously there was an adoption event at the Bark ’Til Dark Dog Park called ‘Mingle with Our Mutts,’” says Dutt. “Instead of having separate events for a dog wash and adoption, we decided to join forces. Seven different shelters with animals including the Delaware County Humane Society will be at the event. With some of the agencies, you may be able to leave with a dog that day.”

“People can bring their dogs to be washed – we’re suggesting a donation of $5 for small dogs and $10 for larger dogs,” says Smith. “T-shirts will also be available for $10, and there will be a bake sale and raffle. All proceeds will help stop Ohio puppy mills and support the Humane Society of Delaware County.”

Scrubbing Dogs to Save Lives will be followed by a presentation about puppy mills from a representative of the Companion Animal Protection Society at 3 p.m. in Room 163 of the Conrades♦Wetherell Science Center.

“People do care about animals, but they often just don’t know how to help,” says Dutt. “If we can raise awareness about adoption choices, then that’s time well spent. I encourage everyone who would like a pet to save a life and adopt from an animal shelter.”

– Ericka Kurtz