Shell Factory to host GoldenFest
12th annual fundraiser for GRRSWF to be held this Sunday
GoldenFest XII, the annual fundraiser for Golden Retriever Rescue of Southwest Florida (GRRSWF) will be held on Sunday, Nov. 13, at the Shell Factory & Nature Park, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
All dogs are welcome to an event that will have numerous pet demonstrations, entertainment and the ability for Golden lovers to adopt a pet.
GRRSWF, founded in 2009, has saved more than 1,100 goldens and goldens mixes from Florida to South Korea, Iran to China, as part of its international mission.
Hundreds of people and even more dogs will be in attendance. Cathy Cottrell, publicity director at GRRSWF, said after last year’s event was cancelled, they are looking forward to holding it again.
“This is something that brings people together with a happy event that’s dog related. We welcome all dogs, especially those who were adopted at our rescue,” Cottrell said. “We want to continue to raise awareness for the importance of spaying and neutering dogs and that dogs are family pets and not items that belong on dinner plates.”
Cottrell said they have been lucky to work with South Korea, rescuing many dogs from there. The dogs are constantly vetted before they come to the states. They bring several dogs per year from there.
All breeds of well-mannered, leashed dogs — especially golden retrievers — are invited to attend with their owners. Admission, parking, and color-coded bandanas (for dogs who were adopted out or up for adoption) for all dogs attending are free.
As far as the other countries they are much more difficult and with the changes in policies in recent years, almost impossible, Cottrell said.
“GoldenFest is our annual fundraiser that raises money to help the dogs we take in,” said GRRSWF President Alesia Galuppo in a statement. “This family-fun event provides activities for the whole family — human and canine alike. It is because of gracious donors and GoldenFest that GRRSWF can help dogs, especially those with special medical needs.”
Peter Busch and Lisa Spooner, of NBC-2, will be the masters of ceremony for the event which will feature vendors, exhibits, dock dog diving, obedience, flyball, scent work and trick and agility demos.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office will provide K9 demonstrations, deputy dogs, a SWAT Team Bear Cat tactical vehicle, and a virtual reality vehicle where visitors get to experience a deputy’s real-life decision-making situation.
ABC4K9, a North Fort Myers training group, will be doing obedience and rally demos. Representatives of Bratty Paws in Punta Gorda will provide canine agility demonstrations.
The North Fort Myers Fire Control District will display equipment and vehicles. Vendors include a large variety of pet-related business services and non-profits.
Entertainment will include live music by the Rosada Projects, dancing by the Calendar Girls and a Santa Paws photo booth. The event includes a raffle and a silent auction.
The title sponsor is The Gunterberg Charitable Foundation – Brotherhood of Heroes of Cape Coral.
For more information, visit www.grrswf.org, email info@grrswf.org or call 369-0415.
The Shell Factory & Nature Park is located at 16554 North Cleveland Ave., in North Fort Myers. Call 29-995-2141 or visit www.shellfactory.com for additional information.
To reach CHUCK BALLARO, please email news@breezenewspapers.com