It was a 50-dog night
Story and photos by Mimi M. Maddock

Tracy Johnson, volunteer for Project Pet, and Laura Mims Wolfe, director of Project Pet, show off a shar pei that was adopted by a guest at Brittons' fundraiser for their organization on October 5, 2006.

On October 5, 2006, dog lovers crowded into Brittons on Devine Street spilling out into the parking lot. Fashionably adorned stuffed animals purchased in Atlanta by Stacy Levinson were in their arms. Each dog could be adopted for $50. The event, which raised $4200, was a fundraiser for Project Pet. Many chose to donate their puppies to SisterCare for homeless children within their network. Each guest received a doggie bag with canine cookies inside and a tiny silver puppy on a chain.

Project Pet is a 501(c)(3) animal welfare organization established in 1999 in the Columbia Region to work on the problem of pet overpopulation. The volunteers believe the mission and vision of the organization can be accomplished by implementing aggressive programs that will address spaying/neutering, education, and responsible pet adoptions.

Patty McDougal of Happy Cookers helps Lindsay Davis decide which puppy to adopt at Brittons' fundraiser for Project Pet.

Project Pet is partnered with the Lexington County Animal Services and the Richland County Animal Care to work toward reducing the euthanasia rate of over 19,000 animals per year, or 52 per day, in the two counties. To accomplish this, they have created an adoption program that includes all three of the aforementioned elements.

Over 5000 animals have been transferred to Project Pet from the Lexington and Richland shelters since January 1, 2000. Each animal transferred to Project Pet was medically, physically, and mentally restored and adopted into responsible and loving homes. The success of this program depends on many factors including participation of our local community.

Project Pet plans to build an Adoption, Development and Medical Facility on Bower Parkway in the Harbison area. After construction, they will be better able to address the overpopulation problem of pets through an aggressive spay/neuter program. Their desire is to partner with other animal rescue groups by providing spay/neuter procedures for animals that are being prepared for adoption, as well as provide low cost spay/neuter services for the public.

Stuffed puppies were mixed in with the clothes at Brittons during the Project Pet fundraiser

Project Pet has an ongoing need for adoption volunteers, foster homes, and of course funds for construction, animal care, and operations.

Success depends on the community's level of commitment of time and/or dollars to make the voice of the voiceless heard loud and clear. There is a limit to what Project Pet can do without support from the community. For information, call 803-407-0991 or visit www.projectpet.com.

Special thanks to the people who made the Project Pet fundraiser

possible

+ Brittons

+ Alex Lancaster

Brittany Smith; volunteer; Deloris Mungo, board member of Project Pet; and Mary Mungo, volunteer enjoy the festivities in the parking lot outside of Brittons. Photos by Mimi Maddock

+ Barbara Wells

+ Celebrations Special

Event Rentals

+ Century 21 The Auction Group, Mike Amazon

+ Ed's Bartending Service

+ Patty McDougal of

Happy Cookers

+ Moore Taylor Thomas PA

+ Trevett's Mailing Service

+ Southern Wine and Spirits of S.C.