The Monmouth County SPCA celebrated its 25th anniversary Dog Walk and Pet Fair on April 27th at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft.
The event, held in returning partnership with Red Bank Veterinary Hospital, raised more than $105,000 for the thousands of homeless animals the MCSPCA cares for every year, according to a press release.
People and their pets gathered on the Brookdale campus to enjoy the sunny, spring weather along with the colorful comic book theme which encompassed every dog being a superhero, according to the press release.
Highlights of the event included comic-themed photo opportunities with costumed superheroes, a puppy kissing booth, and contests for pets and their owners. The world-famous K9 Frisbee team, The Disc-Connected K9’s, performed high-flying shows throughout the day with their 14 rescue dogs, according to the press release.
The incentive for participants to fund-raise this year included an array of prizes: gift cards, signed artwork, pampering pet products, concert tickets and a brewery tour. The Sfarra family came in first place, raising more than $26,000 for their returning “Chairdog” Pinot.
Other top fundraisers and runners-up included Max and Harriet Colby, Jill Bergmann, Phoebe’s Friends, Barbara LaRocca and Lauren Wilder.
The event welcomed back new and returning vendors with items for people and pets, many of whom donated a percentage of their proceeds back to the shelter, according to the press release.
The MCSPCA thanked its new event sponsors, such as the Cambridge Club, whose “Aquadog” sponsorship covered all of the water drinking stations for dogs along the walk route.
Another success of the event was the 50/50 raffle, totaling more than $17,000, and won by a Shrewsbury resident whose family has been volunteering for the shelter for several years.
The Monmouth County SPCA is preparing for its summer and fall event schedule which includes the nationwide “Clear the Shelters” initiative on Aug. 17 and the annual Fur Ball Gala on Sept. 28. For additional information, email events@monmouthcountyspca.org!
The Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was founded in 1945 to care for the community’s homeless, neglected and abused animals. The society’s mission is to protect and advocate for all animals, according to the press release.
In 2018 the society cared for more than 5,000 animals. The MCSPCA provides services to the community including pet adoptions, a full-service veterinary clinic, dog training and behavior, humane law enforcement, lost and found, trap neuter and return for free-roaming cats, humane education, pet therapy, and a pet food pantry that helps provide pet food and supplies for low-income families, according to the press release.
