By Khalida Sarwari
Before a foster home in Los Gatos took him in, 1½-year-old Lucas was considered “undersocialized”–staff at the shelter the maltese mix was living in noticed he wanted to play with other dogs, but would run away from them. Now, he’s a happy and playful pooch who loves to cuddle, play fetch and sometimes get a little bossy with other dogs and people. But Lucas is still waiting for a place to permanently call home.
The adorable pup will make an appearance, along with nearly two dozen other dogs at Furry Friends Rescue’s Woofstock & Walk fundraiser at Sanborn County Park on Oct. 18. The event, now in its fifth year, will attempt to raise money for the vet bills of the nonprofit’s rescue dogs and cats, with a focus on animals with special medical needs.
“Almost every animal we rescue from one of the shelters need vet care,” said Emily Verna, FFR’s president. “They all need usually basics to higher medical vet care needs.”
FFR is a mobile volunteer-run nonprofit that has been involved in the rescue, sanctuary and adoption of animals in Northern California since 1998. The organization provides foster homes to about 100 dogs and cats of all ages and breeds year-round until they are adopted. The animals, including those that have special medical and behavioral needs or have been neglected or abused, are rescued from overcrowded shelters and receive rehabilitation and vet care. The organization works primarily with six local shelters, including San Jose Animal Care Center, Santa Clara County Animal Care, Tri-City Animal Shelter in Fremont, Hayward Animal Shelter and Los Banos Animal Shelter.
The fundraiser will have wine tasting, live music and a dog adoption showcase featuring Lucas and 19 of his doggy friends. The benefit will also feature booths, a raffle, silent auction, food trucks and performances by the TinMan band. Radio station 96.5 KOIT’s Charly Kayle will host a Howl-loween dog costume contest. There will also be treats and goodies for dogs. And, for the first time this year, there will be a nature trail walk which is additional to the entrance fee.
Last year’s event, held at the Mountain Winery, drew about 600 people and raised around $7,000, according to Verna. The goal for this year’s event is roughly $40,000.
“We need to raise more funds because of all our high vet bills,” Verna said. “That’s why we’re adding the nature walk.”
The event is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 16055 Sanborn Road, Saratoga.
Tickets for the fundraiser are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Registration for the nature walk is $30 and includes a T-shirt, swag bag, dog cookies and entrance fee.
For more information about FFR, visit FurryFriendsRescue.org.
Link: Woofstock is a fundraiser to help pay vet bills for rescue dogs, cats
