DukeFest is finally here and Tri-County Animal Rescue and Clarion PAWS have some pretty kitties up for adoption.

DukeFest is Saturday

It’s a tale of how one rescued dog’s legacy will continue to help other dogs – cats and more – be rescued.

DukeFest began in the spring of 2012 when animal advocate friends decided to celebrate rescue groups and assist them with their projects and get the word out about the importance of adoption. Duker Man Dog had recently been rescued from an abandoned home where he survived the severe cold of winter without food, water or heat for at least five weeks and DukeFest was born.

Now in it’s fifth year, DukeFest will be missing its namesake. Duker Man made his trip to the Rainbow Bridge on Dec. 31, 2015. But Duker Man will live on in the hearts of those who love and want to help animals.

More and more support for the event keeps pouring in.

Most recently, Duker Man’s “mom,” Penny Minnick, received a letter from Heaven from Duke and several cases of popcorn in his memory. Kayleen Cubbal and Tricia Brunner’s special tribute moved Minnick to tears. The popcorn will be available at the Sept. 10 event.

That gesture is just one of the many examples of compassion and caring that animal advocates have for their causes.

So take a trip to Franklin on Saturday for what is sure to be a tail-wagging good time.

DukeFest begins at 11 a.m. and will end with the Blessing of the Animals at 4 p.m. The event which features free admission will be held in Bandstand Park.

DJ and animal advocate Cathy Baldwin will be the master of ceremonies. Vocalist Deanna Wolfgong will present the National Anthem as the event begins its fifth year.

Humans may attend with — or without — their dogs. DukeFest includes many games, educational and craft vendors, food and the raffle extravaganza. Tickle My Ribs and The Rolling Bistro will be presenting the food choices for DukeFest.

Upon arriving, DukeFest attendees can stop at the registration tent manned by Bonnie Jolley and Sheryl Clinefelter. By registering, participants will be entered into the drawing to win one of many door prizes that will be given out throughout the day.

Pastor Diane Whitman of Polk Presbyterian Church will keep busy throughout the event. She will officiate at the Muttrimony at 1 p.m. and offer the Blessing of the Animals at noon and 4 p.m.

There are quite a few surprises in store for the Muttrimony, according to Melanie Bailey and her mother, Chris Latchaw, the DukeFest team chairpersons for this activity.

The DukeFest raffle team of Amber Martino, Mieke Heffern, Pam Bottomley, Clara Lackey, Andrea Buckley and Regina Martin have put together more than 160 raffle baskets of items donated by individuals and local business groups. DukeFest is featuring a special raffle of a $500 gift certificate donated Bears Furniture.

Deanna Wolfgong, of DS Music Therapy, will provide an opportunity for pet owners to remember their beloved pets by placing their names on a memorial wall.

Team members, Chris Shaw and Jessica Schultz are planning a fun “Paint with Paws” activity, where a dog’s paw print will be turned into a cherished work of art.

The DukeFest team of Vicki and Bob Myers will head up the Bobbin’ for Dogs pool and new this year will be a fun activity for people and their dogs — or people may choose to borrow someone’s dog — with an egg.

Barb McCarthy and Tammy Bell will be available at their tent area to talk about special needs and pet rescue.

The DukeFest kids’ tent will feature the exciting PawPort game, where youths can get their Pawport stamped at each of the participating rescue groups to win a prize.

Other games and fun activities will go on throughout the day in this large tent area. At 1:45 p.m., Justine Cashdollar and her DukeFest Kids’ Team will present “Bark & Paint,” where kids can do a painting of a dog on canvas. Children must sign up that day for the activity and seating is limited to 24.

Rally for Rescue is being sponsored and held by dog trainers Claddagh Glen.

Benefiting from DukeFest this year are Hog Heaven Farm Animal Rescue of the Cochranton-area, Precious Paws Animal Rescue Precious Paws in Franklin, Safehaven Small Breed Rescue in Tionesta, the Forest/Venango County Animal Response Team, Club Pet Adoption in Transfer and the Venango County Humane Society in Seneca.

Girls, Girls, Girls!

Last week, Tri-County Animal Rescue Center in Shippenville celebrated the adoption of Ace, a canine resident at Tri-County for more than 3½ years.  This week Tri-County would like to showcase some feline residents who are inching close to, with some surpassing, the half-year mark.  Stop by soon to meet our adoptable girls, the center said.

Bobcat/Bobbi is a darling girl who was found injured in a local school parking lot.  Bobcat has completely healed and is ready to spend her life with a loving family.  Having resided seven months at Tri-County, Bobcat is the gatekeeper of the cat room, lying in front of the cat room door watching all the activity within Tri-County.  Inquisitive and playful, Bobbi would be a great addition to any family.

Rocking a charming half mustache is Happy, a delightful female shorthair who has lived at Tri-County for six months.  Happy is friendly, gets along with other cats, is current on vaccinations and has been spayed.  After delivering six babies this spring, Happy is ready to enjoy the retired life with an adoring owner.

Big, beautiful Jade is somewhat shy but very much enjoys affection.  When Jade isn’t regally posed on her bed, she can be found “hiding” under it.  During her 5-plus month stay at Tri, she lost her life-long companion to cancer but has adjusted well to the solo life.  Jade is seven years old, spayed, up-to-date on vaccinations and ready to begin her life again with a new forever family.

If you are in the market for a quiet kitty, eight-year-old Sweetheart is your girl.  Although Sweetheart isn’t an in-your-face kind of gal, she loves being shown affection.  She was abandoned outside of Tri more than five months ago and has been patiently waiting for an adoring new family to find her.  If a peaceful lifestyle is your cup of tea, why not share it with Sweetheart?

Crystal is affectionate, friendly and plays a mean game of Hide & Seek, hiding in very small spaces and leaping out of your reach at the very last second.  This active girl has spent five months perfecting her game and would love to find another place to call home so she can explore new hiding places.  Crystal has been spayed and is up-to-date on vaccines.

Stunning Penelope, a petite calico, is an attention seeker but is just as content watching activity around her.  Penelope is friendly, enjoys rubbing people’s legs and is fond of her cat naps.  She gets along well with other cats and, every so often, is found speeding around the cat room playing with toys.  Our sweet Penelope is current on vaccines, has been spayed and would love to be part of an adoring family once again.

Abandoned outside our building in the pouring rain, Lola was scared and stressed for days.  Now this friendly girl spends her time waiting for a caring family to adopt her and enjoying all the loving attention given to her.  The veterinarian estimates Lola to be 3-4 years old and she is currently being treated for an eye injury, but Lola is up-to-date on vaccinations.

Those interested in more information on the center’s adoptable felines, please contact Tri-County Animal Rescue Center on Facebook, call (814) 918-2032, or email contactus@Tricounty-arc.org.

Don’t shy away from these kittens

Clarion PAWS in Shippenville has some kittens who need forever homes.

Eddy is the only boy in a litter full of shy kittens. They were living outside like many others do and were terrified of people. Now that they know the comfort of indoors and the love humans give them. They are in search of their furrever homes. Eddy is a sweet boy who is quiet for a kitten.

Erin is one of Eddy’s sisters. She is the most shy of the three siblings. She is slowly learning to trust new people. She just needs the love of a furrever family to break her out of her shell, the rescue said.

Heather loves nothing more than being loved. If you sit down in the kitten room you will find her in your lap. She does love to play with the other kittens but she likes her humans as well.

Meanwhile the rescue reported that within the past two weeks Smokey, Tabby and Jem found their furrever homes.

Clarion PAWS is located at 11348 Route 322, Shippenville, Clarion River Hill, between Scrap Happy and Clarion Electric.

The adoption center is open from 5 to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays. The center is closed Fridays and Sundays.

More information is available online at www.clarionpaws.org, the group’s Facebook page or by calling (814) 229-1231.

‘Purr’ecious metals

Mary Gurnée with Precious Paws Animal Rescue in Franklin posted earlier this week about foster kittens Steel, Cobalt and Sterling. Gurnée posted that all three are the same age, but Steel is a bit bigger than his litter mates. Steel and Sterling were neutered and can now officially go home with an approved adoptive family, she posted. Cobalt, while at a healthy weight for his age, did not make the cut off weight limit for neuter surgery. He is scheduled for this coming Tuesday, Gurnée added.

Folks interested in meeting this terrific trio can see them face-to-face at DukeFest on Saturday.

Interested persons can visit pparfranklin.com and click on the adopt link for an application.

Precious Paws can be reached by phone at (814) 671-9827 or by email at AdoptPreciousPaws@gmail.com.

More information about the group and its low-cost spay neuter program, SNYP, can be found online at pparfranklin.com or on the group’s Facebook page.

 Pet Appreciation Week event slated Sept. 17

An event for Pet Appreciation Week will be held Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Tractor Supply store in Cranberry.

The main event will include pet adoptions with community groups, samples, giveaways, drawings for gift cards, and other family-friendly activities, according to a press release.

“Pet Appreciation Week is a time when our love for animals really shines,” said Christina Eisenman, manager of the Franklin Tractor Supply store. “It’s an opportunity for us to celebrate the love of pets, find great homes for local adoptable animals, and showcase the community partners and rescues who care for these animals year round.”

In addition to supporting community groups in their work to find good homes for dogs and cats, Pet Appreciation Week, Sept. 14-18, will help raise awareness of the importance of spaying and neutering pets and provide information on proper pet care and nutrition.

Pet Appreciation Week is open to the public — and all leashed, friendly pets — and will take place at Tractor Supply at 6885 US 322.

There will also be various incentives on pet items throughout the week of Sept. 14-18.

Make your ‘vote’ count

Voting is underway for CASA of Venango County’s cutest four-legged fur baby photo contest. It will continue through Sept. 16.

Voting is done by monetary donations. The fur baby with the most donations wins. The winner will receive a $50 gift card to the fur baby’s choice. Voting will take place at the National Transit Building, 206 Seneca St., Oil City, on the basement floor by the elevator during regular business hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Photos may be viewed online at CASA’s Facebook page.

 

(All About Animals is a weekly blog that appears on Venangoextra.com and Clarionextra.com. Interested persons or groups can submit information to bigdogs.thederrick@gmail.com. More information about the blog is available by contacting Anna Applegate at 814-677-8364.)