June 4, 2003

Howling good time

PetSafe Rescue Alliance sponsors Bark in the Park

By Carol South
Herald contributing writer

      The blasting cold and drizzling skies Saturday morning did not keep some animal enthusiasts from gathering at the Almira Township Park for Bark in the Park.
      Sponsored by the PetSafe Rescue Alliance based in Interlochen, the event featured events for dogs and dog lovers, kids of all ages and animal devotees. The weather kept many vendors away but representatives from some regional animal shelters, grooming organizations and pet stores were on hand to promote proper pet care.
      The day also featured a K9 demonstration, a session on animal first aid conducted by members of the American Red Cross and the chance to adopt a puppy. Special events for children included face painting and contests for best pet tricks and best costume. An evening concert rounded out the day's offerings, which organizers hope becomes an annual celebration of pets and pet rescue.
      "We wanted to create more awareness of groups and animal rescue," said Michael Dickenson, CEO and founder of the PetSafe Rescue Alliance.
      Emily Pojar, 13, of South Boardman left the Almira Township Park with a new puppy. She and her mom adopted a young husky mix she plans to name Hallie from the Crawford County Animal Shelter. Staff from the shelter brought six dogs to the event hoping to find them homes.
      "I will take care of her," said Pojar, who wanted a dog for companionship. "I am more of a dog person than a cat person."
      The message of pet rescue resonated with Bob Love and Diane Jeffrey, national travelers based in Florida. The couple are visiting family in the area and heard about the event the previous day. They decided that their dog, Rocky, a retriever mix, would be a natural at the costume contest. Dressed as Uncle Sam, Rocky proved his mettle by taking home the first prize basket.
      "Rocky is an abused dog we adopted from an animal shelter in Utah," Love said. "We really believe in animal rescue."
      The pair believe in helping animals so strongly that Jeffrey, a retired heart surgeon, and Love donated countless hours of time at the Best Friends Animal Shelter in Kanab, Utah. There, they gave more than 200 exams and shots to rescued animals.
      "That is the largest no-kill animal shelter in the United States," Love noted. "They have 1,500 cats, dogs, birds, horses and bunnies."
      Pet rescues would be more rare if pet owners would take more time on training, noted Linda Bolek, a trainer for PetSmart. Staffing a booth at the Bark in the Park, Bolek said that training is crucial to help a dog live a long and happy life.
      "The vast majority of animals that end up in shelters, especially the adult dogs, are because of lack of training," said Bolek. "Training helps strengthen the bond and also helps avoid situations where the pet get adopted, is returned and then is adopted again into the same situation."
      "Good dogs are not born, they are trained," she noted.
      PetSafe Rescue Alliance began in March of 2002 and has cared for 100 cats and 60 dogs in that time. The organization fosters animals with a network of volunteers and works to make placements successful for both pet and owner. It has a no-kill policy except when an animal has a health or aggression issue that cannot be dealt with, said Dickenson.
      Pets come to them from a variety of rescue situations, including animals of elderly who have died. They also get calls on their hotline from police Central Dispatch to help rescue dogs or cats.
      "Mortuaries and funeral homes call us, no one knows what to do with pets of someone who has died," he said.
      For more information on PetSafe Rescue Alliance, call 392-3125 or online at petsafe@petsaferescue.com.