Dogs Gone Wild and Pet Valu combined Bristow Center's Trunk or Treat event with a pet adoption in cooperation with Paws for Seniors in Bealton, Va. The result was a parade of adorable children and pets at the groomer’s shop and pet food store as well as increased visibility for Paws for Seniors rescue on Saturday, Oct 27.
Jim Scamordella, Cofounder of Paws for Seniors, said the shop was often times packed with people.
“One time I couldn’t even get out of there,” said Scamordella, “(The children) were very much interested in the dogs and the pig. These guys got a lot of petting today.”
Dogs Gone Wild owner, Ginger Bryant agreed, “We had a ton of people here all day today.”
And while the event was good for business, both Bryant and Scamordella hoped it would bring much needed attention to the Paws for Seniors pets.
Paws for Seniors takes in older dogs and cats in need of a home and family. Although they will place them with any qualified loving family or individual, the nonprofit thought seniors dogs would be an ideal fit for senior citizens, thus the name, “Paws for Seniors.”
Scamordella said people who adopt with Paws for Seniors pay a minimal adoption fee of $120, but get so much more in return.
“It never even covers our costs,” said Scamordella, yet their organization keeps costs low as an incentive for people to adopt from their rescue.
Their pets have also received their yearly physical and necessary inoculations before they are fostered out.
“We vet 90 percent of our pets that come in,” said Jim.
They make sure their animals are healthy, and if they are not, “We work out a plan to get (the issue) resolved. We maintain a quality of life.”
For instance, Scooter is a 13 year old, male border collie/beagle mix that lost one of his front legs to cancer. But Scooter is a very healthy, active dog otherwise, and gets around just fine with more energy than most dogs half his age.
Paws for Seniors also makes the transition from fostering to adoption easy. People can foster a pet for up to two weeks before deciding to commit to adoption. Even after, Paws for Seniors would always take the dog back if the owner decided to turn one of the pets in for any reason.
“Once a paw’s dog. Always a paws dog, or cat,” said Jim.
Paws for Seniors works closely with other rescue groups and the Fauquier County ESPCA. They also receive pets from families that cannot care for them anymore.
“We do save a lot of pets,” said Jim.
Because of their low fees, Paws for Seniors is always looking for donations, which makes it possible for them to care for the pets they safe and foster.
To contact Paws for Seniors visit pawsforseniors.org, call 540-748-8177 or email Info@pawsforseniors.org.
To set up a grooming appointment with Dogs Gone Wild visit dogsgonewild.va.com, call 571-208-0114 or email dogsgonewildva@hotmail.com
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