Fashion group lends a helping paw
November 22, 2009
Wakulla County’s Humane Society has been suffering major budget cuts due to the economic recession. The shelter is under-funded, under-staffed, and low on facilities to house many stray animals.
In order to help the shelter, Fashion Incorporated, a student-run, not-for-profit organization, has teamed up with Cauzican Animal Rescue to save 50 dogs from being euthanized by the end of the year.
Fashion Inc. has started a pay it forward chain via word of mouth, e-mail, and Facebook to raise enough money for these pups. They are grabbing donations from friends, family, local veterinaries, pet stores, obedience training facilities, and anywhere else to get this done.
Bonnie Brinson, the founder and operator of Cauzican, which is a sixty-acre ranch in Crawfordville, Fla., has graciously offered her facility to house the pups until they find good homes. Although Cauzican has only been in operation for two years now, Bonnie has been taking in strays for over 20 years.
“It’s a never ending fight,” said Brinson, “especially in Wakulla County, people need to spay and neuter their pets to help shelter and stray overpopulation.” Being a self-financed organization with few sponsors, Cauzican strives for donations in order to take care of all these animals.
Cauzican houses not only dogs, but cats, horses and pigs. Veterinary bills and medication, hygiene and food are part of finances involved with housing these animals. Most are dropped off in very poor health and must be spayed or neutered in order to find a new home.
“Bonnie is such a whole-hearted person, she wants to do as much as she possibly can, but just needs the funds to do it,” says Vicky Flechas, a Florida State University senior and Fashion Inc. events coordinator.
At the moment, Cauzican only houses eight open, outdoor, dirt floor kennels for the dogs. However, Fashion Inc. has promised to raise the money to not only spay and neuter the 50 dogs from the humane shelter, but to convert the eight dirt kennels into 10 concrete, covered kennels, which cost up to $1000 per kennel.
The campaign has only been going on a few weeks but the organization has already saved seventeen dogs. They have a goal of $15,000.
“This is happening all over the nation,” said Flechas. “Stray overpopulation is a huge issue and shelters everywhere are struggling to stay afloat. We have to be confident that we are going to reach our goal. This is an issue that touches everyone’s heart and these animals need all the help they can get.”
Fashion Inc. is already planning a celebratory dog fashion show and pet festival for January at Potbelly’s with contests, prizes, and a special appearance by the saved pups from the Wakulla Humane Society. There will be a cover at the door and all proceeds will be given to Cauzican for a “lasting impression,” said Flechas.
For more information about Cauzican, or to donate, visit www.cauzican.org.
