Awards were handed out for best costumes, dogs looking for homes were available to meet potential adopters and money was raised to help good causes.
The inaugural Spooktacular Puppy Parade on Oct. 14 at Schneider Nursery between Brownstown and Seymour was considered a success.
With donations and food sales, $400 was made to split between Red Sky Rescue and the Jackson County Dog Shelter building fund.
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Plus, $620 was collected to put toward right eye removal surgery for Black Jack, an 11-year-old black and tan coonhound at Red Sky Rescue that has glaucoma. The total cost for the surgery is $1,360.
“For a two-hour event, this was a very successful event. I think everyone who attended and their dogs had a good time,” said Cathi Eagan, who helped organize the event and is founder and director of CanINE Express Transport Project and a volunteer at Red Sky Rescue.
Black Jack was the grand marshal of the parade. Three children, Riley VonDielingen, Emily Keller and Trista Wischmeier served as parade judges.
Winners were Martha Shirley’s dog, River, scariest costume; Stephanie Prewitt’s dog, Mai, silliest costume; and Travis Wischmeier’s dog, Benji, cutest costume.
The winners received a fall planter donated by Schneider Nursery.
Several Red Sky Rescue “alumni” dogs walked in the parade with the people who adopted them.
Red Sky Rescue also brought five dogs that still are available for adoption.
Also at the event, Pet Sense donated three boxes of new dog toys and treats that were sold for a donation, a gift basket was raffled off and Seymour High School Jobs for America’s Graduates students sold hot dogs and drinks.
“Many thanks goes to Jill Glover, Grant Schneider and all the staff at Schneider Nursery for such a wonderful event,” Eagan said. “We are also grateful to the JAG high school students who provided the food and drinks. Many thanks goes to the public who brought their dogs and participated in the event. We’re already planning for the second annual event in 2018.”
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Red Sky Rescue rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes homeless dogs in the area.
Donations are tax-deductible since it’s a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. They may be mailed to Red Sky Rescue, 8305 W. County Road 150N, Medora, IN 47260. For information, call 812-216-6310.
To make a donation to help build the Jackson County Dog Shelter, stop by the Community Foundation of Jackson County, 107 Community Drive, Seymour, or call 812-523-4483.
For information about the dog shelter, contact Debbie Hackman at 812-525-9367, “like” Jackson County Dog Shelter on Facebook or visit jacksoncountydogshelter.org.
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