Plenty of tails wagging at Saturday’s Dog Day event at conservation club

“People love dogs.”

This was a reason the second annual Dog Day Afternoon event has grown in its second year, says Kathy Klune, chair of the event and a member of the Fort Erie Rotary Club, the organization behind Saturday’s gathering of canine owners and lovers at the Fort Erie Conservation Club.

Kathy and her husband Dave came up with the idea for a unique event in the community.

“The goal is to bring some fun to the town,” she told Fort Erie Radio in an interview.

There were 50 vendors at the outdoor event who braved the off-and-on rain throughout the day, selling dog-related products and other items.

The Fort Erie SPCA and a couple of dog rescue organizations were on hand at the event, which also served as a fundraiser for the service club and its many initiatives that put money back into the community, such as donations to local food banks and scholarships for high school students.

Alex Hurst from Halfway Home K9 Rescue, an organization that has a presence in multiple communities in southern Ontario, was promoting what they do.

She was joined by Kiki, a young golden lab who was hit by a car and had broken bones in three of her legs when she was rescued.

Kiki was getting a lot of attention at Saturday’s event, but she still needs clearance from a veterinarian before she can be adopted.

Rescue organizations are enthusiastic about public events such as the one on the weekend because it allows potential adopters to physically meet the animals.

“You fall in love with the dog in person, not a photo online,” said Hurst, event and fundraising co-ordinator for Halfway Home in the Niagara region.

The Fort Erie SPCA recently had its animal control contract reinstated by town council after three years of the local service being provided by the Humane Society of Greater Niagara.

General manager Wendy Trombley and other staff were at Saturday’s celebration with their mobile unit, a large vehicle that can hold up to 20 small dogs, but usually carries a maximum of about nine large dogs and six that are smaller in size.

Trombley said the Dog Day event is a great opportunity for the local SPCA and other rescue organizations who participate and that the unique piece of fleet has been “very effective” going out on the road since it was purchased in 2019.

“It’s beneficial to get the dogs out here so we can get them homes,” she told Fort Erie Radio.

“The dogs are completely content,” she said, noting it is equipped with water and air conditioning.

Mike and Karen Fleming were doing some shopping. One of the items they bought was a rubber mop they plan to use to get rid of hair shed by their Labrador Retriever, Sophie.

“This is perfect to get everyone out and support local,” said Karen.

Lisa Stark shared a similar thought as she stopped with her dogs Sayfre and Draco to talk with Fort Erie Radio.

“It’s nice to get local vendors out so we know what’s around here,” she said.

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