By Conrad Dudderar
Senior Staff Writer
Dog owners will pamper their beloved pooches – and receive the royal treatment themselves – at a special event next month benefitting Yukon’s homeless animals.
Pets & People Humane Society will offer its 10th Annual “Pawsitively Pampered Dog Wash, Grooming & Vendor Event” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13 at YNB Parkway, 1550 Garth Brooks Blvd.
“We typically have more than 200 dogs washed each year and anticipate even more this time!” event co-chair Peggy Nichols said. “Dogs will be pampered with washes, basic grooming and nail trims.”
All proceeds will benefit Pets & People, which operates a no-kill animal rescue and adoption center and has saved more than 55,000 dogs and cats since 1992.
“The purpose for the fundraiser this year is to help Pets & People with costs associated with moving and renovating a new location,” said Nichols, a Pets & People board member.
The humane society was recently notified its animals and staff must vacate the old Yukon animal shelter, 701 Inla, by the end of December. Pets & People shared space with the City of Yukon for more than 20 years before the City opened a new animal control facility in January.
After studying several options, Pets & People board members are getting close to finding a new place in Canadian County to move their operation.
Besides raising funds to help with Pets & People’s transition, the annual Dog Wash, Grooming & Vendor Event on Sept. 13 will help socialize some of the Yukon area’s fantastic canines.
Prices for dog washes will be $10 (under 60 pounds), $15 (over 60 pounds) and $20 (large breed with long and thick hair such as the Great Pyrenees and St. Bernard).
Basic grooming will be $20 (de-shedding large dog), $25 (small fluffy breed) and $30-plus (large fluffy breed).
And it will cost $10 each for other grooming services like nail trims, glands and nail polishes.
VENDORS APLENTY
While their four-legged friends are being spoiled rotten, dog owners will enjoy shopping at 35-plus vendor booths plus five food trucks.
“We have many faithful vendors who are with us each year,” event co-chair Stacey Sprague said. “We’ll have a wide variety of vendors ranging from clothing, dog accessories, jewelry, make-up, home and kitchen items, handmade items, gifts, and much more.
“And please come hungry because we’ll have a great food truck lineup this year.”
Some vendors contact Pets & People early each year asking when they can send in their applications for the Pawsitively Pampered Dog Wash, Grooming & Vendor Event.
“This has become such a popular and highly anticipated event across the metro area each year,” Sprague said.
A large crowd of people and pooches is anticipated as organizers take steps to ensure everyone’s safety.
“We will abide by the (COVID-19) guidelines that the City of Yukon has in place at the time of the event,” Nichols said.
Pawtopia, Lowe’s and Target have provided donations – including shampoos and rinse, gift cards and a tent.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU
Some 150-200 volunteers are helping plan and present next month’s festivities.
“This includes many, many dedicated individuals who offer their time and talents to help Pets & People,” Nichols said. “It is so heart-warming to see them helping to support our efforts.”
As with the vendors, many volunteers return each year to participate.
“They also reach out to us early in the year because they love helping out so much,” Nichols shared. “It really means a lot to see their dedication and time commitment. We couldn’t do this without them.”
Event organizers thanked two businesses along the busy stretch of Garth Brooks Boulevard south of Interstate 40.
“We want to thank YNB (Your Neighborhood Bank), which allows us to have it at this prime location,” Nichols said. “We reach out to them each year and they are always quick to respond with a yes. Fairfield Inn & Suites also allows us to use a large portion of their front parking lot.
“Our gratitude cannot be overstated.”
Retro-themed event T-shirts ($10 each) will be on sale in the Sprague’s Backhoe booth nearest to the dog wash and grooming area.
For more information, follow the Facebook event page “Pawsitively Pampered 10th Annual Dog Wash and Vendor Event.”
