2023 Bella Vista Animal Shelter fundraisers set
The Bella Vista Animal Shelter has jumped paws first into its 2023 schedule of fundraising events and this year’s schedule includes seven events organizers hope will raise much-needed funds to help staff members care for the dogs and cats that are brought to the facility.
The first event is already in the books for 2023. Bratfest was held Saturday, April 22, at Allen’s Foods in the Sugar Creek Center in Bella Vista. Organizers sold hot dogs and brats and those in attendance were given the opportunity to learn more about the shelter while spending time together enjoying the food and fun.
“Bratfest is a great community builder,” said Bella Vista Animal Shelter Executive Director Nancy Cullins. “We raised nearly $3,000 and served 400 sausages. Allen’s Food allows us the space every year to kick off spring with this fundraiser. It gives us the opportunity to meet folks in Bella Vista and tell them about our community and what the shelter does. We hear so often, ‘I’m new to Bella Vista, and I want to get involved.’ This is an opportunity for them to learn how they can get involved with the shelter.” Cullins said approximately 150 people attend this event annually
The next fundraiser is scheduled for Friday at Las Fajitas restaurant in Bella Vista’s Sugar Creek Center from 5-7 p.m.
“Cinco de Meow is being held in partnership with Las Fajitas and is meant to be a celebration of cats,” said Cullins. “We will have a small booth outside the restaurant to celebrate cats, educate the community on our new Trap/Neuter/Return Program for feral cats and give away some prizes.”
Other events scheduled for this year include:
• Charity Garage Sale, June 10-17 — This event takes place 2 Leafield Lane. Cullins said the community brings donations and shelter officials sell the items. In 2022 this event generated $20,000 for the animal shelter. This is the 18th year for this event and it has a strong following both in donations and sales.
“Our charity sale is a week long event where inkind donations are sold all week long,” said Cullins. “Everyone leaves with a smile knowing that they have donated to the shelter either in-kind or with their purchase. The best part is that the merchandise is always changing. Many people are inspired to give after they have shopped. The giving spirit is strong in Bella Vista and the community looks forward to this sale every year.”
Cullins pointed out that money raised from the event provides food, care and veterinary services for a month.
“Anita Werts, who is the hostess of the event, has been hosting the sale for 18 years and has been a supporter of the shelter for longer than that,” said Cullins. “We appreciate all she does to support the lost and homeless animals in Bella Vista.”
• Pars 4 Paws Golf Tournament, Saturday, July 15 — Roughly 200 people play in this annual golf tournament, which includes a raffle and door prizes. This tournament is also in its 18th year. Hole sponsorships, social media recognition and lots of interaction with local businesses are available as part of this event.
“Our Pars4Paws Golf Tournament is a favorite in the golfing community,” said Cullins. “Kingswood Golf Course has allowed us to use their course for nearly two decades. Bella Vista businesses support the event with raffle and door prizes, tee box sponsorships and by contributing to the food and drink we provide. Wood Motor contributes a hole-in-one prize of a new car every year. Tito’s Vodka has joined with us this year to make sure our Bloody Mary’s are top notch.”
• Chips N Dips, Saturday, Aug. 12 — This event is held at the shelter to microchip pets and provide them with a bath. It is open to dogs and cats, but only the dogs get washed. Shelter officials expect about a hundred people will stop by with a pet needing to be microchipped or washed.
“Chips N Dips is the most important event for the well being of people’s pets,” said Cullins. “We microchip animals for a $20 fee every day and in August we hold an event where we microchip and wash dogs for low cost. BVAS will register your chip for you and keep it up to date if you move or change numbers. We encourage all pet owners to microchip an animal and make sure it is registered. You never know when your furry friend might escape. To save worry and time separated, a microchip is the best way to get them home safely.”
• Dog Days of Summer, September (date TBD) — When the Kingsdale pool closes for the winter, the shelter is given one Saturday to take over the pool for a Dog Swim Day. This event draws roughly 100 people and their dogs and offers some great photo opportunities. Arvest Bank and Crye-Leike Realtors sponsor hot dog lunches.
• Wiener Takes All, Saturday, Oct. 14 — Wiener Takes All: The Fast and Furry is a day of Corgi and Doxie Races at the Bella Vista Softball Complex on Glasgow Road. This is the shelter’s biggest event with approximately 800 people expected to come out and enjoy the races while visiting vendor booths, food trucks and music.
“There are all kinds of sponsors for this one,” Cullins said. “Individuals or groups can sign up to be Event sponsors (large banners), Gate sponsors (small banners) or Race Sponsors (name the race with a tag line).”
Last year’s event drew spectators and participants from near and far.
“In 2022 one participant came from Michigan to enter their dog,” said Cullins. “I’ve had vendors and racers asking for entry forms to join in this event since April. “Our planning committee learned a lot last year. We anticipate that 2023 will be outstanding with food, amenities, games and fun, fun, fun for everyone. This is the last outdoor event we host in the year and we are pulling out all the stops for this one.”
Cullins said individuals wishing to volunteer at any of these events, or to help at the shelter as a volunteer, are asked to fill out a volunteer application at bellavista-animalshelter.org.