The nonprofit dedicated to facilitating the well being of animals of all kinds, Animal Friends of Doggy Sods, hosted their first fundraiser last Friday.
Animal Friends of Doggy Sods began as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) this year. Maggie Brown, owner of Joey’s Bed and Bones pet boarding company in Davis, started the nonprofit as a way to help animals that fall outside the capacity of area animal shelters.
The fundraiser was well timed with a sold out show at the Purple Fiddle and a pub-crawl hosted by New Belgium Brewing that worked its way through the different purveyors of Thomas. “This is our first fundraiser, so we’re really trying to get a little money to start working with rescues,” Brown said. The money raised will go toward the company’s collective fund that promotes animal welfare.
The fundraiser was stationed at Front Street Grocers, which provided a kitchen to concoct the tantalizing menu of pepperoni rolls, Stromboli, tempura veggies, jalapeno poppers, and pickle chips.
Even though the nonprofit is in its infancy, Brown and fellow members had to close their meetings to the public so as to not overwhelm themselves. “We had so many people show up, which is an awesome thing, but we have to get our bearings first,” Brown said.
The idea for Animal Friends of Doggy Sods began after Brown rescued a donkey in Tucker County. “When I did that, a lot people wanted to help,” Brown said. Seeing the outpouring of help, Brown realized there are community members that want to help promote animal welfare but might not know the channels to do so.
“Our major goal is to have a network of volunteers and fosters,” Brown said. The nonprofit helps connect foster families with animals, and this work is not exclusive to Tucker County.
One of the nonprofit’s main tenets is helping animals that are shelters are unprepared to house. “Parakeets, bunnies, or hamsters, or whatnot, those animals are kind of falling through the cracks with those shelters,” Brown said.
To foster an animal or volunteer in another capacity, visit the groups Facebook page. “We would love fosters, if anyone is interested. Doggy Sods will provide food and vetting, a foster is just a warm bed and love for a little while,” Brown said.
