The Wood River Valley loves its pets, but hard economic times have placed a heavy financial burden on many pet owners and on the Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley. The shelter was Idaho's first to have a "no-kill" policy. Its annual Dog Days of Summer benefit, diner and auction cover 90 percent of the shelter's operating expenses.
"Our shelter, like shelters across the nation, has been overwhelmed the past few years with the numbers of animals that need help," said Jo-Anne Dixon the shelter's executive director. "With so many folks facing the realities of this new economy, the demand on shelter services has risen exponentially. The current economic climate has caused a decrease in private donations, threatening our ability to provide lifesaving services at a time when the need is perhaps the greatest."
The benefit will take place Friday, July 16, at 5:30 p.m. at Trail Creek Cabin in Sun Valley. Tickets are $150. For details, call 788-6661 or visit animalshelterwrv.org.
This year's program will include a raffle for a $10,000 gift certificate at Atkinsons' Market; tickets are $20 each or six for $100. More than 200 auction items range from a trip to the 2011 Westminster Dog show to a performance by entertainer Joe Cannon at a private party for 30 to a selection of more than 35 birdhouses made and decorated by local volunteers. In addition, artist Kim Howard has donated an original painting. Tickets are available at the Barkin' Basement, Hailey Coffee Company, Bellisimo, Thunderpaws Pet Shoppe, Pet Grooming by Debbie, Halo Hair Studio, Sawtooth Animal Center, Dirty Beagle, St. Francis Pet Clinic, Atkinsons' in Ketchum and at the shelter.
"The shelter dinner is a wonderful way to spend an evening with friends, buy special auction items from local businesses that support the shelter and enjoy the bounty of our valley," said Jan Main, benefit co-chair and president of the shelter board of directors. "We have had more than 325 attendees each of the past two years and have raised the funds to continue and expand services, all through the generosity and support of the community."
This year, more than 35 birdhouses have been created for the silent auction. The birdhouses have a range of themes and have been handcrafted by students, stock brokers, artists and animal lovers of all kinds.
"Every year I am astounded at the creativity in this valley," said birdhouse coordinator Sheila Liermann. "This year has been particularly fun as Michael Walsh's class at the Wood River High School Construction Academy built several traditional and functional birdhouses. These birdhouses were distributed to people all over the county to be painted, decorated and enhanced. One is finished with a 5B license plate and another with bark from Hawaii. No two birdhouses are alike and you'd never know everyone started with the same style."
More than 1,500 animals received services from the shelter last year. They included 350 animals that were adopted, 252 lost animals that were reunited with their owners, 255 shelter animals that were spayed or neutered, and 387 privately owned animals that were spayed or neutered at no cost to their owners. On an average day, the shelter cares for 45 dogs and 45 cats.
Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com
“Marble Mansion” is the creation of 12-year-old Collette Block. Collette donated the birdhouse to sell and raise money for The Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley’s Dog Days of Summer benefit. Photo by
