Getting your dog groomed can often be a messy adventure. This weekend, however, one animal support charity is hoping that members of the public will take their hairy best friends to have the work done professionally, and it's all for a good cause.
The Animal Cancer Therapy Subsidization Society, briefly known as ACTSS, will soon be hosting a dog wash with a difference. Starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, dog groomers at five Edmonton-area locations (including St. Albert's Barker's Pet Motel & Grooming in Riel Park) will be lathering their way towards besting last year's total of $10,000 to help pet owners afford their animals' cancer treatments.
Media representative Chelsey Chapman said that the instances of animal cancer is much worse than many people probably think.
"There's not a lot of knowledge that pets do suffer from cancers. What ACTSS does is give subsidies to people because treatment is very expensive. Cancer actually accounts for half the deaths of pets over the age of 10 years."
Alexandra Dosser was one of the people who benefited from financial aid. Her 11-year-old cat, Tuffy, developed lymphoma last year, the treatment of which cost in the thousands of dollars.
"They were just fantastic. The whole process was overwhelming. [ACTSS] was able to get us a couple thousand dollars to get us started. Without it, we wouldn't have been able to do anything for him."
Her gratitude was evident.
"If it wasn't for them, he would have passed away about a year ago."
The organization helps those people with cats, dogs and rabbits only.
Organizers recommend that people call and book an appointment ahead of time.
For more information, people can call 780-732-3522 or visit www.actss.ca.
Walking for Habitat
This is the second year around for Walking for Walls, an event sponsored by Gordon Food Services (GFS). It's meant to help Habitat for Humanity. It was successful in bringing in $25,000 last year, but organizers are much more modest with their expectations for 2013's tally.
"We don't expect to get that much this year," began Grant Morris, the activity's organizer. "We really went to the well last year. I still think this year will be a big success too."
The walk starts on Saturday, May 11 at Lions Park at noon. It's a five-km loop along the Red Willow Trails around the Sturgeon River and should take about an hour to complete at normal pace.
Afterward, there will also be a family barbecue with a DJ, jumpy castles, balloon fairies and face painting.
The cost to participate is $40. People can register online at www.events.runningroom.com.
Morris added that this event has added significance as the Aurora Place development is nearing completion. GFS has sponsored one of the homes and the anticipated key ceremony will take place in mid to late summer.
All fired up for helping people with IBD
M & M Meat Shops is hoping to put its barbecue sauce where your mouth is with its annual fundraiser for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada. This is the 25th year that the food chain has supported the cause that has raised $23 million across the country.
Betts Robinson is the owner of both St. Albert locations. She said that the people of St. Albert are always incredibly supportive.
"We've had people coming in to the store, saying, 'So, when's your barbecue?' They look for it."
She also mentioned that, even though it is promoted nationally, it's still a grassroots event that is entirely run by volunteers organized by each store in the chain.
"It's a really good community event. We do it rain or shine. We tie the canopy rope down so it doesn't blow away. We hang in there for it, for sure."
The charity barbecue always takes place on the Saturday of the Mother's Day weekend. For a minimum $3 donation, customers can get a hot dog or hamburger with a bag of chips and glass of juice. All funds go to the foundation to help the more than 200,000 Canadians who suffer from inflammatory bowel disease.
If you can't make it to the barbecue then you can stop in at the store any other time to make a donation.
The nationwide goal is to raise $1.3 million on Saturday.
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at both city locations: at Gateway Village and at the north side location in the Giroux Business Centre.
