The Humane Society of Perry and Panora PETS joined forces Saturday night at the Perry Elks Lodge for a fundraiser for their four-legged fosters.
Humane Society of Perry volunteers and Perry Elks Lodge members Amber Green and Shawna Trogden came up with the idea of a joint fundraiser through their work with the Panora rescue group and their recent initiation into the Elks.
“Shawna and I were trying to come up with an idea for the club,” Green said, “and we discovered we’re both very passionate about animals.”
The fundraiser’s $5 admission fee bought a meal of a hamburgers, brats and side dishes that were described by more than one attendee as “excellent.” Entertainment included a D.J. and a 50-50 raffle, with a bean-bag toss for the kids.
Both Panora PETS — the name stands for Protecting Even The Strays — and the Humane Society of Perry lead local animal rescue and adoption efforts, and both groups rely exclusively on donations from supporters and labor from volunteers.
Breanna Gonzalez, vice president of the Humane Society of Perry, said volunteers are always needed not only to help feed and care for the animals but also to foster both dogs and cats, to transport animals to and from vet appointments and to socialize and play with the cats.
Longtime Humane Society volunteer Dorothea Peterson missed Saturday’s event because she was filling in for a volunteer at the cattery, the Humane Society’s cat shelter in downtown Perry.
“Right now we’re particularly in need of one-gallon plastic milk jugs and plastic grocery sacks,” Peterson said. She said other standing needs include handi-wipes, hand sanitizer and all-purpose cleaner.
Peterson said the ranks of volunteers are thin at present, and animal lovers are encouraged to step up.
Thank you, Jim, for covering the fundraiser at the Elks Saturday night and the well written article about it. You really should have stayed for a plate of food because it WAS excellent and most of it made by Amber and Shawna.