Fund raiser to benefit planned no-kill shelter
The Dog Bar and Grille is hosting a fundraiser to benefit a new animal shelter in Cape Coral.
The Dog Show, Adopt-A-Thon and Auction will be held Saturday from 1 to 6 p.m. The event will feature a pet fashion show, live auction and onsite pet adoptions, as well as games and entertainment. Proceeds raised will go toward the Gulf Coast Humane Society no-kill shelter planned for the city.
“This is something that we definitely need in the Cape,” Dani Beauvois, bar manager at The Dog and the event organizer, said of the shelter. “It’s something that the community needs.”
She noted that The Dog is the only licensed Cape restaurant that can allow pets on its property.
“We just saw a need and we have kind of a unique advantage,” Beauvois said.
“It’s a service to the community, and we’re happy to do it and happy to help,” she added.
The fundraiser will kick off with the adopt-a-thon from 1 to 3 p.m. The Gulf Coast Humane Society expects to have a minimum of three dogs on hand for possible adoption, while the Lee County Sheriff’s Office will conduct a meet-and-greet with some of the canines in its Lee County Cell Dogs Program.
Healing Paws-abilities, a dog training and animal massage business, will also be on hand.
“They’re going to bring some of their dogs to do demonstrations,” she said.
The dog show will take place at 3:30 p.m., with registration to close at 3:15 p.m. A panel of three judges will rate the participants in the categories of Dogs of Summer, Super Heroes and Villains, Sports Fans, and Fairytales and Storybook. The entry fee is $5 per category; re-registration is encouraged.
“The employees came up with the categories together,” Beauvois said. “We also asked the customers what they wanted to see.”
The winners will receives prizes, such as Secret of the Islands scrubs and gift certificates.
“It’ll be like a prize package,” she said. “It’ll be one winner in each category.”
One hundred percent of the show’s proceeds will go to the shelter.
At 4:30 p.m., the live auction will start. The more than 50 items include two VIP and two regular passes to the Redneck Yacht Club, a $25 gift certificate to BackStreets Sports Bar, dinner for two at the Cape Coral Italian American Club and a weekend stay using Rover.com, a dog boarding network.
Other items up for grabs are a free grooming from Dog Days Delight, any cake for up to 50 people at Because Cakes, a $50 gift card to Tattoo Artistry, hand-painted wine glasses and local artwork.
“Most of it is under $100 or right around $100,” Beauvois said.
The entertainment will be provided by DJ Nick and singer-guitar player Renee Hose. Performer Paul Larson, who is scheduled to play at The Dog starting at 5 p.m., will donate all his tips for the day.
“It’s just people have a good time,” she said.
Some of the activities planned include a dunk tank, beer pong, and face painting by Lacey. There will be a children’s pool for the dogs, as well as karaoke set up. The Cape Coral Pet Vet will have its mobile pet ambulance on site to provide microchipping for $25; 50 percent of the proceeds benefit the shelter.
“It’s a giant parking lot party,” Beauvois said.
A cash-only barbecue menu will be available, with all of the proceeds going to the shelter.
“We want to keep it cheap,” she said, adding that it consists of hot dogs, hamburgers and such.
The public is welcome to bring their dogs to the fundraiser.
“They have to be on a leash, and we’d like them to be well-behaved,” Beauvois said.
Organizers are hoping to pack the venue for the event.
“When we first started out, our (fundraising) goal was $5,000,” she said. “I don’t think that’s completely unattainable.”
For more information, call (239) 541-8304 or visit online at: www.thedogbarandgrille.com.
In May, the Gulf Coast Humane Society announced that it was in the beginning stages of plans to open an animal shelter in the Cape. The project is estimated to be completed in the next two to three years.
For more information, visit online at: www.gulfcoasthumanesociety.org.
The Dog Bar and Grille is at 3522 S. Del Prado Blvd.