By Conrad Dudderar
Associate Editor
While a large contingent of canines got spoiled, numbers were down across the board at Pets & People’s 13th annual dog wash and grooming day.
The Canadian County humane society’s benefit, with its “Pawsitively Pampered” theme, brought in nearly $5,000 – about $3,000 less than 2022. The dog wash and a vendor fair were staged Sunday, Sept. 10 outside YNB Parkway, 1550 Garth Brooks Blvd.
“We did raise $4,932.97,” event co-chair Peggy Nichols said. “We’ll use those funds to pay for our spays and neuters and to buy equipment needed for our adoption center.”
Prized pooches of all shapes and sizes from across the metro area came to Yukon to get the royal treatment.
Some 143 dogs were washed last Sunday by volunteers from Pets & People and participating organizations. Dogs were kept safe by being washed in enclosed 12 foot-by-12-foot kennels with secured gates.
“As always, we want to thank our volunteers,” Nichols emphasized. “Without them, we cannot do this fundraiser. We had about 125 volunteers this time.”
Other services provided were 146 nail trims, 61 basic grooms and 12 glands – with that work done by professional groomers.
All totals decreased considerably from Pets & People’s 2022 event when there were 183 washes, 199 nail trims, 97 grooms, and 17 glands tallied.
“We were way down,” Nichols said. “I think the economy may have played a part in it, as well as the heat. Our prices did not go up.”
The record number of dogs washed was 203, in 2021; after 187 were washed in 2020.
Although the cost of goods and services has increased considerably, Pets & People has kept the same wash and grooming prices for the six years.
AND THE VENDORS
Another highlight of last Sunday’s dog wash was a vendor fair with about 40 booths and food trucks.
Dog owners shopped for a wide array of products, such as clothing, holiday gifts, dog accessories, jewelry, home and kitchen goods, handmade items, and makeup.
“The vendors did not sell like they have in the past,” event co-chair Stacey Sprague said.
Pets & People operates a no-kill animal rescue and adoption center at 9733 N.W. 4th in eastern Canadian County.
The non-profit has saved close to 58,000 dogs and cats since 1992. All dog rescues are above capacity as they work to save the animals from euthanasia.
Event organizers thanked YNB Bank and and Fairfield Inn & Suites for use of their parking lots near Interstate 40 and Garth Brooks Boulevard; and Pawtopia for donating dog shampoo.
Coming up next for Pets & People is a fall festival on Saturday, Oct. 14 at its Yukon Community Dog Park, 701 Inla.
A benefit gala is planned Saturday, Nov. 11 at the Dale Robertson Center, 1200 Lakeshore.
To learn more about supporting the humane society, fostering or adopting an animal, visit www.petsandpeople.com or call (405) 367-7156.
