INNISFAIL – It’s a cause for paws.
Paws and Claws Animal Rescue Foundation is holding its first Innisfail fundraiser to help out everyone's four-legged furry friends.
The event takes place on April 13 at the Innisfail Royal Canadian Legion.
“It is a benefit concert with all proceeds raised going to Paws and Claws,” said Mackenzie DeBoon, executive director. “This is our biggest (fundraiser) of the year so we’re hoping to get as many people out as we can, have a good time and raise some money for the animals.”
Entertainment for the evening will include two area artists.
“We’ve got two different bands. The opener is Alecia Aichelle and band, and the headliner is a band (called) Upside,” she said.
The animal rescue foundation has been in Red Deer County for about 15 years, said DeBoon, noting its work rescuing animals includes all of Central Alberta. The foundation also works with First Nations Reserves across the province.
“We help where we’re needed,” said DeBoon. “There is a huge cat issue everywhere in Alberta and on the reserves there are both cat and dog issues. We also take in a lot of owner surrenders,” she added, noting they primarily work with dogs and cats.
After a short break from operations they are refocusing efforts on fundraising, explained DeBoon.
“We’ve made some changes on how our systems work so there’s been a lot more fundraisers this year than (usual),” she said. “Paws and Claws has been slightly dormant over the last little while so we’re just picking things back up.”
Money raised from the benefit concert will cover a variety of areas for the non-profit organization, including day-to-day operations, animal care and veterinarian bills, food and needed items, as well as staffing and building costs.
“The biggest (expense) is always going to be vet bills because many, many of the animals that come through are ill or injured,” said DeBoon. “So there’s those costs on top of the regular vet work like spaying, neutering and vaccinating.
“That’s always our main focus. Without our vet partnerships, we can’t help animals,” DeBoon concluded.
Doors for the benefit concert open at 6 p.m. with the entertainment starting at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $20 in advance and $30 at the door.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call Klassic Kennels in Red Deer at 403-340-0128.
