NORTH CANTON
The city is going to the dogs.
The community is coming together Aug. 3 through 9 to advocate for man’s best friend during the Doggone North Canton event which will focus on homeless dogs.
“Sometimes the biggest challenge homeless dogs face is that humans don’t even realize so many of them need homes,” said Jennifer Harrington, executive director of Pawsitive Ohio, a non-profit organization that serves as a conduit for the various animal welfare groups in Ohio.
The organization advocates for shelters, rescues and volunteers in this area, working together to end the deaths of homeless dogs in Northeast Ohio. In cities across the country, these large-scale adoption events have had great success in making people aware of the abundance of animals who are available to adopt.
“We’re excited to bring a similar event to our community and provide a friendly, fun environment for adoptions, spay/neuter resources and animal wellness education,” said Harrington, noting that this is the first time for the event.
WORKING TOGETHER
“When Jenn Harrington and I met when we were both working remotely for a humane group 300 miles from here, and had no idea we lived less than two miles from one another,” said Christina Weyrick, community relations manager at the North Canton Public Library, one of the organizations working in collaboration with Pawsitive Ohio. “We feel like it was kind of our co-mission to advocate for dogs in North Canton. Programs like Doggone North Canton have been a long time coming and we’re so excited to be collaborating locally now.”
In addition to the library, the North Canton Chamber of Commerce, the North Canton Community Growth Association and the North Canton YMCA are collaborating with Pawsitive Ohio on the event.
Organizations in attendance will include the Stark County Humane Society, Paws & Prayers, The Stark County Dog Pound, One of a Kind Pets, Mercy’s Door Pet Rescue, Save a Mom Pregnant Dog Rescue, Lake Erie Labrador Retriever Rescue, ESRA-English Springer Rescue America, the Tuscarawas County Humane Society, Spay/Neuter Ohio and the North Canton Public Library.
Pawsitive Ohio provides all of the event logistics and marketing, making it easier for shelter and rescues to simply show up with dogs needing homes, said Harrington.
“We recognize how overwhelmed shelters and rescue groups are, and we realize they don’t have the manpower to put together large scale events like this,” she said. “That’s where Pawsitive Ohio comes in. We can plan, market and organize. We do this work so they can continue to do the truly remarkable work of caring for these homeless dogs.”
The fair will feature a live remote and prizes from Mix 94.1, face painting, food trucks, vendors, spay/neuter and pet wellness resources and programs for the entire family. For Paws Blue Cross Animal Hospital is the premier sponsor of the adoption and wellness fair. Additional sponsors include The Hartville Group, FASTSIGNS, Camp Bow Wow, Healing Waters Canine Experience, Booney & Pooch Dog Grooming, Boggs Chiropractic, Downtown Ford, Pet People, Community Magazine, North Neighbor News and Park Subaru.
A lot of people don’t realize how awesome shelter and rescue dogs are,” said Harrington. “The Doggone North Canton adoption event will have a variety of puppies, adults, purebred and mixes, large and small available for adoption.”
Reach Denise at 330-580-8321 or [email protected].
On Twitter: @dsauttersREP
Schedule of events
Aug. 3
• 1 p.m.; Downtown Dog Walk North Canton YMCA; Assemble at Bitzer Park and walk south toward Ro’s Custard Creations. Ro’s will offer $1 doggie cones. Human and dog watering stations will be provided. Keep dogs leashed.
Aug. 4
• 6 to 7 p.m.; North Canton Public Library; Adult Program: Paws & Prayers will explain how to get involved in fostering a rescue dog, including supplies, contacts and expectations. Registration begins Monday at North Canton Public Library, ncantonlibrary.org.
Aug. 5
• 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.; North Canton Public Library; Children’s Program: Read to Sarge, the Tail-Wagging Tutor. Call 330-499-4712, ext. 318, to sign-up for a 10-minute reading session with Sarge the Golden Retriever (adopted from GRIN).
Aug. 6
• 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.; North Canton Public Library; Adult Program: Crafter’s Corner, make a no-sew dog bed. All supplies provided. Registration opens Wednesday at ncantonlibrary.org.
• 5 to 8 p.m.; Chipotle, 1462 N. Main Street near Applegrove; Dine at Chipotle and tell the cashier you are there to support Pawsitive Ohio, and 50 percent of your purchase price will be donated to Pawsitive Ohio.
Aug. 7
• 10 a.m.; North Canton Public Library; Adult and Teen Program: Paws to Learn — The Stark County Dog Pound has made improvements in the past year. The dog warden and shelter veterinarian will discuss the work they are doing and how you can get involved. Registration opens Thursday at ncantonlibrary.org.
• All day; North Canton Public Library; Children’s Department, second floor activities, coloring contest and crafts all day.
• 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; North Canton Chamber of Commerce; How much is that doggie in the window? View adoptable dogs from Save a Mom Pregnant Dog Rescue in the window of the North Canton Chamber of Commerce on Main Street. Visitors are welcome to go inside and meet the dogs.
Aug. 8
• 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; North Canton Public Library; all ages, Warm Paws Project — building dog houses for neglected dogs with Project REBUILD. Houses will be built at the library Friday and then painted and decorated at Saturday’s Adoption and Wellness Fair in Witwer Park. Completed dog houses will be donated to the Stark County Humane Society. Registration opens Friday at ncantonlibrary.org.
Aug. 9
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Witwer Park, North Canton; A multi-rescue adoption event with 10 regional dog rescues.
Visit Pawsitive Ohio’s website http://www.pawsitiveohio.org/