All for the Pets
Pet adoption and fundraising were the prime goals at the 9th annual Paws-Ability BandFest.
A wide variety of pets were available for adoption at the 9th annual Paws-Ability Bandfest, including a mixed breed named Sky.
“If you have a squirrel problem, this is the dog you need,” said Linda Leewright of Shallotte, a volunteer with Brunswick County Sheriff’s Animal Protective Services.
More than 3,000 animal lovers, pet owners, families and couples came to Sunset Beach Town Park on June 7 to enjoy BandFest. Nine animal rescue groups, more than 60 vendors and a line of food trucks were available for people to visit before listening and dancing to the Sand & Sea Band and Jebb Mac Band.
“Bandfest is our biggest fundraiser of the year,” said Anita August, board president of the Paws-Ability, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, all-volunteer organization that provides funds to animal shelter groups. “All these people in red shirts donate their time. The bands donate their talents, and the town has been wonderful to work with.”
Marsha Ehrsam, a foster volunteer with Empowering Pawz, says the nonprofit organization based in Calabash prepares animals for adoption.
“They stay with people until they are ready to be adopted,” she said. “They have to have a safe place to land if someone wants to adopt them.”
The dog at her heels was Marcy, 3, a pocket pit bull terrier mix.
“She’s ready to be adopted,” Ehrsam said.
Skylar Gateman of Shallotte joined the group, saying she was looking for a pit bull to keep hers company and was interested in adopting Marcy.
“You’re saving lives [by adopting],” said Kara Cosby, founder of the organization.
Animal Ally Action Fund in Bolivia offers adoption services and has a foster home cat program.
“We’re raising awareness about overpopulation,” said Jill Jones of Bolivia, founder of the nonprofit.
One of the advantages of Bandfest is bringing your pet to the event. Donya and Gary Gibney of Shallotte brought Gabby, 6, their German shepherd Italian greyhound mix. The couple adopted Gabby from the rescue All For Paws in Pawley’s Island, South Carolina, when she was five months old.
“We went to a taco festival in Murrells Inlet and came home with a dog,” Donya said. “It’s the best dog we’ve ever had, and we’ve always had dogs. She is so lovable and friendly.”
George Paton of Ocean Isle Beach brought Grace, 9, a bloodhound weighing 118 pounds. Paton said she’s not a rescue, but he likes everything about her.
“I like her temperament,” he said.
A Maltese spaniel mix, a Malipoo and an Australian shepherd poodle, known as an Aussiedoodle, were other pets people brought to the park.
Jim and Dee Baumgarten of Shallotte have a trailer they call the “nooter scooter.” They have applied for nonprofit status so they can provide neuter and spay service. Currently, their trailer is parked at Capital Chevrolet in Shallotte, and the Fix A Friend staff provides services on Sunday mornings.
“We are advocates of having people have their animals spayed and neutered,” Jim said. “We charge the same price as Fix A Friend.”
Wayne Barbour, executive director of Capital Chevrolet in Shallotte, said the car dealership was title sponsor of Bandfest for the fourth year in a row.
“I do it because my dog is a rescue dog, and I love the organization,” he said. “They do a fantastic job with the number of volunteers and the money they raise.”
Vendors provided an assortment of items to purchase from wine to jewelry to packaged foods and garden vegetables. Chris Miller of Ocean Isle Beach raises and sells about 50 varieties of peppers.
“We grow rare culinary peppers,” she said. ”We started growing ghost peppers because they were one of the hotter ones. At first nobody liked them, but then they got popular.”
Barbara Stephens stood at the Tastefully Simple booth to explain that the meal and baking kits they sell only require two added ingredients.
“If you want a product that tastes really good, and it’s simple, try these,” she said. “Everything in the line is two ingredients or open and use. With apple cake, you add two cups of cut up fruit and two eggs.”
Visitors bought raffle tickets for a chance to win boat rides, opera tickets, membership to Planet Fitness, custom pet portraits and more.
For more information on pet services:
Paws-Ability
(910) 269-6885
paws-ability.org
info@paws-ability.org
Brunswick County Sheriff’s Animal Protective Services
429 Green Swamp Road, Supply
(910) 754-8204
animalservices@brunswicksheriff.com
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