Thanks to the seemingly never-ending pandemic, local organizations are continuing to get creative with rescheduling or redesigning their events.
This includes Parker’s Animal Rescue.
For the second year in a row, the local nonprofit will host its annual fundraising party as an online auction. This year, auction-goers can log on from Feb. 12 to 22.
“It’s called Paws for Celebration. In years past, it was a big party, an in-person event. We had food and live music and a bar and a really big silent auction,” said Cheril Comisar, a member of the organization’s board of directors. “Last year, because of COVID, we went to the online auction form, and that’s what we’re doing again this year.”
If you go
What: Paws for Celebration, an annual fundraiser for Parker’s Animal Rescue.
When: Feb. 12-22.
Where: Online at charityauction.bid/ParkersAnimalRescue.
More information: Visit parkersanimalrescue.com.
Parker’s Animal Rescue began, according to the rescue’s website, in 2014 when Lisa Parker and her husband, Eric, took in a litter of 6-day-old puppies: “Since that day, Parker’s Animal Rescue has developed a diverse team of foster homes and volunteers who, along with our community partners, create a network of opportunity for dogs in need. Parker’s Animal Rescue also works closely with local and regional humane societies, Dogster and similar organizations to rescue, transport, care for and re-home dogs and puppies in need in the surrounding areas.”
Up for auction this year are a variety of goods and services, from golf packages for four to coffee from Desert Sun to even loads of gravel, Comisar said. There will also be gift baskets from veterinarian offices, gift certificates, a paddleboard and a trip to Mexico for next winter.
Sponsors for the fundraiser include: The Chama Valley Meat Co., Rock Solid Custom Granite Counter Tops, Durango Outdoor Exchange, Mac Source Durango, Tina Miely and Creature Comforts.
Comisar said the annual fundraiser is important because the nonprofit relies on funding to help keep all its dogs in foster homes.
“All of our fundraising is incredibly important. We are a 501(c) nonprofit, all of our funds raised go toward – all of our dogs and puppies that are in rescue are in foster homes, we are a 100% foster-based rescue,” she said. “So every dog that is in foster care is initiating housebreaking, all training. We are responsible 100% for all medical care, which includes vaccines, spay and neuter, all food, all transportation, anything that you can imagine that these animals need while they are under the care of PAR that’s what these fundraisers go toward.”
In addition, Comisar said the organization also provides puppy class for adoptive families and remains in touch with the families for any support they may need after adoption.
katie@durangoherald.com
