Weekend festivities include different type of Easter hunt
When Samantha Taylor first met the Beagle mix dog Gunner, she knew his little personality would fit right in with her family. She began fostering him and, two weeks later, adopted him through the Saving Paws Animals Rescue of Kentucky.
Since adopting Gunner, Taylor, of Owensboro, has attended SparKY’s annual fundraising event Easter Bone Hunt at Ben Hawes Park. She will also be attending the event 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
SparKY is a nonprofit, no-kill animal rescue that uses the approach of finding foster homes for animals until they are able to be adopted. The Easter Bone Hunt is one of their primary fundraisers, which the president of the group John Austin said are necessary for the organization to function.
“We don’t have a paid staff, and a majority of our funds raised go to vet expenses, which is a major cost in running an operation like this,” Austin said. “This is one of the different fundraisers we have during the year to help defray those costs.”
Taylor said the event was fun for pet owners and pets alike.
“It was just amazing, it’s just a great event,” she said. “There’s a big field full of toys. You get to meet other dog owners in the community, and others who have had rescue dogs from SparKY.”
It’s also a great way to give back to the organization, she said, and it’s an opportunity to have a professional Easter photo taken of your pet.
The event is essentially organized like an Easter egg hunt, except the toys and treats for the pets aren’t hidden, Austin said. Instead, they are all placed in a big field at the park, and leashed pets can choose the toys and treats they like. Whatever they choose, they take home with them.
Registration for the event begins at 11 a.m. The cost is $10 per dog. There will also be on-site portraits available for $15 per dog.
All profits benefit SparKY, and dogs participating must be vaccinated and on leashes.
By Bobbie Hayse
Messenger Inquirer