Marshall County Pet Salon Offers Toys For A Cause
Nestled in a makeshift bed at a grooming shop in McMechen are 128 puppies and kittens waiting to find new homes. But although the dalmatians, huskies, corgis and others involved are stuffed animals, they are hoping to find families for a cause with help from staff at Happy Tails Pet Salon.
According to Happy Tails owner Terri Lindsey, the Paws with a Purpose Adoption Program, starting next week, will allow community members and businesses to adopt a plush pet in honor of their choice of eight participating nonprofits. Each pet will receive a tag with the name of the organization and a pamphlet about its mission, and the “adoption” fee will benefit the organization on the tag.
Lindsey said each of the eight organizations have 16 adoptable toy animals, but she hopes to purchase more once existing fundraising goals are reached. Nonprofits benefiting from the project include Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children, Harmony House, Liza’s Place, The Marshall County Animal Shelter, the Marshall County Family Resource Network, Schrader Environmental Center, the Seeing Hand Association and the Tiffany Dlesk Spay/Neuter Clinic. The adoption process will begin early next week and continue for a year.
“We’ve done very well here in the 10 years we’ve been open … and it’s time to pay it back,” Lindsey said.
As part of their duties during the charity event, the Happy Tails stuffed animals have been traveling the Ohio Valley, spreading the word about the project at local organizations and businesses, even getting their yearly shots, visiting local eateries and checking out new summer reading options at the library.
Lindsey added the project was inspired by two stuffed participants, Dumbledore and Darwin, originally adopted from the Schrader Environmental Center earlier this month. The center’s toy animal pursuits began when a girl left her plush friend, Doug the dog, at Oglebay earlier this summer.
After the young visitor was reunited with Doug in late June, Schrader staff were inspired to begin a stuffed animal adoption with 12 dogs to fund school programs in Marshall and Ohio counties.
Happy Tails assistant manager Donna Jones said she hopes area residents will participate in the cause.
For information on the fundraiser, call 304-233-2740.
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