WAYNESVILLE, NC (WLOS) — Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation is hosting its second annual Pawty Slumber Shelter on April 6 and 7. For 24 hours, participants will eat, sleep and ‘paw’ty at the shelter. Meteorologist Meghan Danahey will be one of those participants!
From its birth in St. Louis to the now global 24-hour event, the Shelter Slumber Pawty is hands down the coolest event on the planet (says Meghan!). This year, there are 55 participating shelters across the United States. Organizations in Brazil and South Africa are also taking part, too!
Most people don’t know what ‘shelter life’ is like or even what the inside of a rescue organization looks like. This event invites everyone to take a good look. It puts thousands of adoptable animals in the spotlight and lets each little paw’s personality shine.
The ‘Pawty’ raises critical funds for shelters of all sizes: Money for spay and neuter, emergency medical, food, housing, maintenance and dedicated staff members.
NEWS 13’S MEGHAN DANAHEY JOINS SLUMBER ‘PAWTY’ TO HELP RAISE MONEY FOR ADOPTABLE ANIMALS
It also promotes the idea of fostering. Taking an animal home to foster opens a space for another homeless animal at the shelter. Ultimately, this lowers the number of animals euthanized for space every year.
The ‘Pawty’ highlights volunteering. Even if you can’t adopt, you can help by donating your time to your nearest rescue organization.
Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation is located in Waynesville, North Carolina. Sarge’s works directly with the Haywood County Animal Shelter. When Meghan mentioned this event to them last year, they jumped at the opportunity to raise money in a crazy, fun new way.
Participants are building fundraising pages, where they will try to outdo each other with funny stunts to bring in money. Below are links to both Sarge’s and Meghan’s fundraising pages:
Shelter pups will do some paintings and the artwork will be auctioned off on Facebook Live! This year, there will be a cold-laser ‘rave’ where older dogs will get a little joint therapy, dog yoga. The ‘Pawty’ planning is underway, and we are coming up with events and shenanigans for our 24 hours at the shelter.
The event is all about having fun and bringing companionship to the animals.
Sarge’s is hoping many animals will be adopted through event exposure. They will become more than a photograph on the website.
If you would like to help in any way, you can become a sponsor, build a fundraising page, or donate supplies or food, fun and games to play during the 24-hour stay. You can reach out to Sarge’s by email at [email protected]. You can also reach out to Meghan Danahey by email at [email protected].
SLUMBER PARTY, ANYONE? UNIQUE EVENT AIMS TO FIND FOREVER HOMES FOR SHELTER ANIMALS
Meghan participated in an event like this where she was born in St. Louis. From there, it grew from just one shelter to 17 participating St. Louis area shelters in 2019. Last year, the founders of the event expanded it to any willing rescue group across the United States and abroad. All participants, including Sarge’s, will be PAW-tying together on April 6 and 7. There will be lots of Facebook Lives during the event, so you can join in the fun!
Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation’s creation was inspired by a dog at the Haywood County Animal Shelter. Sarge was a dog who had been remanded over to the Haywood County Animal Shelter in 2005 by his owner. A breed rescue volunteer identified him as a young, healthy, purebred German Shepherd Dog and marked him for rescue. Despite best efforts, Sarge was euthanized just one hour before rescue transport arrived. A group of volunteers used this event as a catalyst for change, and formed an organization with the mission of preventing the euthanasia of adoptable dogs and cats in the county shelter. In the years since, the county shelter has achieved a “no-kill” status, and it is Sarge’s intention to help the shelter maintain that success.
For more information about where your donations will go, CLICK HERE.