ThisWeek UA 09/22/2011
(Includes Photo Credit)
Peace for Paws, a new central Ohio animal rescue organization, hosted the event as a fundraiser for area animal rescue efforts and to raise awareness about issues facing dogs and cats in Ohio.
Arlington Bank customer service representative Caroline Krouse said that the bank has been very supportive of this event and her efforts to raise awareness about animal rescue.
“It took a lot of pleading but we did all of this in three weeks,” Krouse said. The bank and the Tremont Goodie Shop were the first businesses to get involved.
“Originally the (Clark County) dog hoarding case brought us together and gave us the idea to do a donation for those dogs with help from the Tremont Goodie Shop and the Arlington Bank,” said Emilie Smith, Peace for Paws president.
However, the event quickly grew, according to Paws’ executive director Julie Robert.
Last weekend’s event featured seven rescue organizations, pet service providers, an Upper Arlington High School dog and car wash as well as several contests — including a pet and owner look-a-like contest and a dog biscuit eating contest (with humans eating the special dog biscuits baked by the Goodie Shop).
“The hoarder in Clark County had 400 dogs on his property and 70 of those dogs were found dead,” Roberts reported. “Sentencing is supposed to happen this week, but charges for animal cruelty like this are still just misdemeanors.
“It was those 400 dogs and seeing the aftermath of that which made us want to draw more attention to it.”
Nitro’s Law, a law currently in committee in the Ohio House of Representatives, is aimed at changing laws regarding animal hoarders in Ohio and making animal cruelty offenses felonies instead of misdemeanors, according to Robert.
“Ohio ranks 47th out of 50 states in terms of its animal cruelty laws, according to the Humane Society,” Robert said.
Peace for Paws formed in August 2011 and held the Furry Friends Funday as its first event, according to Smith. About 300 people participated.
“I’m overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the community,” Smith said.
Cindi Clum, executive director of Cozy Cat Cottage cat rescue, participated in the event and said these events are very useful for getting animals adopted. She said that adoptions don’t generally happen at the event but often result in owners coming to them to adopt in following weeks.
Robert, Smith and Krouse agreed that the event was a success.
“Thanks to everyone for supporting our efforts. We’re already looking forward to next year’s event,” Krouse said.