With a name change from Woofstock to Puppypalooza, the Lee County Humane Society annual dog festival will also have a shift in focus.
This year’s event, set for Oct. 8 at Kiesel Park from 10 a.m.–2 p.m., will focus more on simply fostering a dog-centered community event rather than fundraising.
“Traditionally it’s been more on focused on being a fundraiser ... but this year we want to focus on the festival aspect of it because throughout the year there are so many events where you ... go from booth to booth and that kind of thing,” said Ausu Anaraki, LCHS fundraising and events coordinator. “But we kind of want this to be an event where people come and have fun with their family, with their pets.”
The shelter typically gets more exposure rather than funds from larger events, which it hopes to capitalize on this year to convert supporters into future donors, Anaraki said.
In place of a silent auction, there will be a raffle and door prizes. Donations will also be tied to several activities at the festival.
Attendees can tie dye a bandana for a $3 donation, participate in a dog costume contest for $5 and purchase different items to support the humane society. But the shelter, Anaraki said, is relying more on sponsor funds compared to years past, hoping to secure more sponsors.
Each year the shelter takes in more animals and needs more funds, Anaraki added.
“Traditionally events like this don’t necessarily bring in as much funds as we’d want, and that’s kind of the case with a lot of nonprofits ... It still is a fundraising event,” she said. “We’re just trying to not focus on it as much as before.”
She said she hopes the humane society still receives the same amount of funds as in years past, but without the same level of expectation of donations from attendees.
People can adopt animals at the festival, which will also have food vendors, music and a puppy kissing booth.
“The goal for the event is just to have a day where people can come out and support the humane society but also just have a good time,” she said.
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