SPCA Hosts First ‘Pup Crawl’
October 25, 2018
By SHELBY MERTENS
Daily News-Record 10/25/18
DN-R File HARRISONBURG — A 5-year-old boxer-mastiff mix named Wagtastic Beast was brought into the Rockingham- Harrisonburg SPCA this past summer with a broken leg and heartworm.
The dog received treatment and a leg amputation through the SPCA’s medical fund while staying in a foster care home. Wagtastic Beast was then adopted a week after he returned to the shelter in July.
His story is an example of how the SPCA uses donations to care for needy animals, according to Emily Eby, the development and fundraising manager for the Rockingham-Harrisonburg SPCA.
The SPCA is hosting a new fundraising event called the Pup Crawl, a canine twist on a bar crawl, on Nov. 3 from 2 to 7 p.m. Participants can eat and drink at five restaurants and breweries in downtown Harrisonburg that will offer special cocktails and deals during the day, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the SPCA.
“We just thought it would be a fun way to get people involved and a fun thing to do in downtown to benefit the animals,” Eby said.
For $ 25, participants receive a T-shirt, a koozie with the event logo and a wristband.
Capital Ale House, located at 41 Court Square, will serve a special cocktail named in honor of Wagtastic Beast. The cocktail contains Smirnoff citrus, Malibu rum, Blue Curacao, pineapple juice, cranberry juice, sours, grenadine and Sprite.
The Golden Pony, 181 N. Main St., will also feature a cocktail for the Pup Crawl that is to be determined.
Union Station Restaurant and Bar, at 128 W. Market St., is another participating establishment.
Two downtown craft breweries are also among the Pup Crawl stops. Pale Fire Brewing, located at 217 S. Liberty St., will donate a dollar from each pint or flight sold.
Three Notch’d Brewing Co., at 241 E. Market St., will donate 5 percent of sales from the event to the SPCA.
“Three of the places have outdoor seating, so you can bring your dog,” Eby added.
The proceeds from the event will go toward general funds for the Rockingham- Harrisonburg SPCA. Right now, Eby said, the shelter is full with cats and has more dogs than usual.
“We need a lot of donations to help care for them,” she said. “We always need help, whether it’s monetary donations; we also take food, old toys, towels and stuff. We always appreciate volunteers as well.”
The Pup Crawl may turn into an annual fundraising effort depending on its success.
“We’re just trying to get the community more involved and we’re always looking to form partnerships with downtown businesses and build relationships with the community,” Eby said.
Participants should check in at Capital Ale House from 1: 30 to 3: 30 p.m. From there, participants can choose their own Pup Crawl route.
The SPCA recommends purchasing tickets in advance at www.rhspca.org/events, although tickets can be bought the day of the event. Tickets are also available at the Rockingham-Harrisonburg SPCA at 2170 Old Furnace Road or by calling 434-5270.
Daily News-Record 10/25/18
DN-R File HARRISONBURG — A 5-year-old boxer-mastiff mix named Wagtastic Beast was brought into the Rockingham- Harrisonburg SPCA this past summer with a broken leg and heartworm.
The dog received treatment and a leg amputation through the SPCA’s medical fund while staying in a foster care home. Wagtastic Beast was then adopted a week after he returned to the shelter in July.
His story is an example of how the SPCA uses donations to care for needy animals, according to Emily Eby, the development and fundraising manager for the Rockingham-Harrisonburg SPCA.
The SPCA is hosting a new fundraising event called the Pup Crawl, a canine twist on a bar crawl, on Nov. 3 from 2 to 7 p.m. Participants can eat and drink at five restaurants and breweries in downtown Harrisonburg that will offer special cocktails and deals during the day, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the SPCA.
“We just thought it would be a fun way to get people involved and a fun thing to do in downtown to benefit the animals,” Eby said.
For $ 25, participants receive a T-shirt, a koozie with the event logo and a wristband.
Capital Ale House, located at 41 Court Square, will serve a special cocktail named in honor of Wagtastic Beast. The cocktail contains Smirnoff citrus, Malibu rum, Blue Curacao, pineapple juice, cranberry juice, sours, grenadine and Sprite.
The Golden Pony, 181 N. Main St., will also feature a cocktail for the Pup Crawl that is to be determined.
Union Station Restaurant and Bar, at 128 W. Market St., is another participating establishment.
Two downtown craft breweries are also among the Pup Crawl stops. Pale Fire Brewing, located at 217 S. Liberty St., will donate a dollar from each pint or flight sold.
Three Notch’d Brewing Co., at 241 E. Market St., will donate 5 percent of sales from the event to the SPCA.
“Three of the places have outdoor seating, so you can bring your dog,” Eby added.
The proceeds from the event will go toward general funds for the Rockingham- Harrisonburg SPCA. Right now, Eby said, the shelter is full with cats and has more dogs than usual.
“We need a lot of donations to help care for them,” she said. “We always need help, whether it’s monetary donations; we also take food, old toys, towels and stuff. We always appreciate volunteers as well.”
The Pup Crawl may turn into an annual fundraising effort depending on its success.
“We’re just trying to get the community more involved and we’re always looking to form partnerships with downtown businesses and build relationships with the community,” Eby said.
Participants should check in at Capital Ale House from 1: 30 to 3: 30 p.m. From there, participants can choose their own Pup Crawl route.
The SPCA recommends purchasing tickets in advance at www.rhspca.org/events, although tickets can be bought the day of the event. Tickets are also available at the Rockingham-Harrisonburg SPCA at 2170 Old Furnace Road or by calling 434-5270.
