Cattaraugus County SPCA Continues its Quest to Raise Funds for Our Four-Legged Friends
Calling all pet lovers! On Sunday, July 15 the Cattaraugus County SPCA will hold their annual “Give the Dog a Bone Tour” at the Allegeny Fire Department Grounds in Allegeny, NY. Kick-off starts at noon with a line-up of ten fantastic live bands. Bring your pet on its leash and take advantage of a dog micro chipping clinic, agility demonstrations, dog pageant and pong tournament.
Enjoy tasty foods such as fried dough, hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie burgers, nachos, salt potatoes ice cream, beverages and beer tickets. Enter to win in a raffle of over 100 baskets, walk through the huge trash/treasure sale and/or enter the motorcycle dice run.
According to SPCA Board member and Bone Tour Event Coordinator Kelly Chaffee, everyone is encouraged to bring their dogs, and several pets will be up for adoption that day. “We are very excited to introduce the dog pageant this year,” she said. Everyone will pay one entry fee, which gives them the ability to enter their dog in several pageant categories, including biggest, smallest, and best trained. There will also be a “surprise” category that will be announced that day.
The event got its roots in 1984. According to Chaffee, one afternoon, the organization had a dog that came in with an eye injury. “In the ‘80s, it was around $200 to remove the eye, or $30 to euthanize the dog,” she said.
“I remember walking the dog around our pond after the vet visit. I was so upset that we didn’t have $200 to save our friend. A man, who was an animal cruelty caseworker at the time, noticed my sadness, and suggested we hold a fundraiser. He was a well-known musician, so the fundraiser naturally had a “country jamboree” theme at the Allegeny Legion. We raised $700 that day, and saved the dog,” said Chaffee.
The event grew so big and gained rapid popularity, which encouraged the SPCA to move it outdoors and turn it into a festival. Years later it was dubbed the “Give the Dog a Bone Tour,” by the same gentleman who inspired the event. This year, the SPCA has a goal of raising $25,000, making the event the biggest fundraiser for the Cattaraugus County SPCA.
For more information about the Cattaraugus County SPCA or the Give the Dog a Bone Tour, please contact the organization at 716-372-8492. Their website can be accessed at spcacattco.webstarts.com, or find the Cattaraugus County SPCA on Facebook.
