PAWS FOR THE CAUSE 2011 EVENT SUMMARY
$6300 was made at this year's event!
A HUGE thanks to the committee, donors, sponsors, volunteers, booths and visitors who made it happen.
The $6300 was divided amongst the 12 animal groups: each group received $525 and hopefully more public awareness for their causes.
DISPERSEMENT OF FUNDS TO:
*Animal Services *Concern for Animals *Covenant Creatures
*Daisy Mae Foundation *Feline Friends *FHSARR
*Hooved Animal Rescue *Humane Society *Old Dog Haven
*PAAAT *RARE *Wolf Haven
ESTIMATED NUMBER OF ATTENDEES(Including Volunteers & Vendors): 410
NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS(Pre, during and post-event): 59
TOTAL NUMBER OF BOOTHS: 33
NUMBER OF NON-PROFIT BOOTHS ATTENDING BUT NOT DIRECTLY BENEFITTING FROM PFTC: 5
*Sound Hounds
*Wild Felid Advocacy Center of WA
*4-H Veterinary Science Club
*WA Malamute Adoption League
*Shelton & Mason County Parrot Rescue
NUMBER OF RETAIL BOOTHS: 16
*Marnie Black *Fluffy & Floyd’s *Lawndoodles
*Heather’s Pet Salon *K-9 Clubhouse *Pet Connection
*Friendly Grove Boarding *Animal Planet *Lead Me On Dog Training & Boarding
*Dr. Lisa Parshley *Let’s Talk Dogs *Wind Up Here Toy Store
*Excelon Kennels *Mud Bay Granary *Best Paw Forward
*Fido Gear
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COMMENTS/SURVEY RESULTS FOR 2011 PFTC
WHAT WORKED/WAS LIKED:
1. The band 9. Petting zoo
2. Golf cart service 10. Goodwill Ambassador-great dog
3. Great weather! 11. Check scanner
4. Silent auction, smoother than last year 12. More visitors at booths than previous years
5. Treasure chest contest 13. Kid's Activities
6. Photo contest! 14. Non-profit booths--very informative, very friendly
7. Bird Room
8. Layout of activities
WHAT DIDN’T WORK/WASN’T LIKED:
1. Feline Friends Adoption Room-not on fliers
2. Bounce house--deflating
3. Ice cream freezer died
4. Credit card machine didn’t work
5. Band put in wrong location—difficult for nearby booths to converse w/visitors
6. No minimum bids on auction items
7. Should have used bullhorn
8. Contests—not big turnout
9. Lost auction item
10. Snakes/reptiles—for those with big phobia, was scary to have people walking around w/them
SUGGESTIONS:
1. Costume Contest—have in larger area
2. Auction—put items farther apart, have more tables so easier to view
3. Feline Friends—more advertising for adoption room, more signs at event to direct
4. More signs/ways of drawing people to laser/acupuncture/dental/bird/critter rooms
5. More items/activities inside to draw people into exam rooms
6. Dental Room—more toothbrushes, more kid activities
7. Paw painting for dogs, picture drawings of dogs, more games for the dogs(relay races, etc).
8. Combine with other event(Run Like A Dog, Secondhand Safari, Craft Expo) to reach a larger party
9. Different time of year—maybe in Fall, and look into an indoor facility in case of rain. Less competition for Summer events that way
10. Different venue—Dog park, etc
11. Discontinue silent auction—a lot of work for the value returned
12. If organizations wish to benefit from Paws, they should provide the man power hours to help put it on, as it is a big undertaking
13. Different venue—maybe in Fall, and look into an indoor facility so less competition for Summer events
DO YOU FEEL THAT PAWS SHOULD CONTINUE?
Overall, a resounding YES. But, Paws needs chairpersons to organize and direct the committee. Dr. Cowell and Tristin announced at the meeting that they will not be serving at co-chairs for Paws, that it was time to pass the torch on to the community to run Paws. Dr. Cowell offered to act as liason for the future chairperson/s. It was decided to schedule a Paws for the Cause meeting on THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13TH AT 6PM AT HAWKS PRAIRIE VETERINARY HOSPITAL, to discuss the future of Paws, and to determine if there are members of the community willing to serve as chairperson/s.
We encourage and invite ALL members of the community to join the Paws for the Cause committee--please help us spread the word, so we can see Paws continue to flourish!
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WHAT IS PAWS FOR THE CAUSE?
If you'd like to be added to our mailing list to receive more information about Paws for the Cause, drop us an email at: pftcause@hotmail.com, or check out our website: http://pawsforthecause.giving.officelive.com.
Paws for the Cause was just a concept back in 2008. Hawks Prairie Veterinary Hospital in Lacey, Washington has always been a place where community caring and sharing was of great importance. We knew of many local animal charities who do so much good for animals--from wildlife and wolves to hooved animals to elderly or handicapped dogs to abandoned cats and kittens. But we found that the community as a whole did not know of them. We wanted to help spread the word, provide a forum for the charities to teach people about what they do, and help them raise money for their worthy causes. And so Paws for the Cause was born! Every Summer, we have held this fun and free community and family event to raise awareness about, and funds, for, local animal charities.
So many volunteers and local businesses have donated their time, services and products to make this happen--and that's what community caring and sharing is all about!
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