Pooch society seeks donations

Hunter Pollard, whose family hosts dogs with Newbark, cuddles with new arrival Carlos. Cheyenne yawns after a long trip from California.

Phillip Woolgar/Herald

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One dog is often plenty to handle, so when someone hosts several, that’s a lot of drool and cuddles.

But about 20 Merritt residents are showing that dedication as they host dogs that would likely otherwise be euthanized.

The dog enthusiasts are scheduled to host the first Fur Ball, a fundraiser for Merritt’s Newbark Canine Rescue and Rehoming Society.

The event isn’t designed for adoption, but to raise funds. The money is earmarked for spaying or neutering the dogs, medical treatments and transport from California, where they are rescued from several high-kill shelters.

Margie Honeywell started Merritt’s Newbark chapter five years ago after adopting one of the labs on death row.

“She turned out to be the best dog I’d ever had, and she died,” Honeywell recalled. “Then, I just kept on [adopting].”

In California, the dogs that aren’t claimed or rescued within three days are euthanized. The rescued dogs are sent to various shelters, including to three  Newbark chapters in B.C.

The others are located on Vancouver Island and in the Okanagan.

After a few years adopting the animals “quietly,” Honeywell discovered on Facebook that many others also wanted to host the pooches.

This support was welcome, as Newbark was consistently asking Honeywell to host dogs that would otherwise be killed.

Before long, an official from Newbark asked her to start a Merritt chapter.

“I had all kinds of help,” she explained. “Everybody wanted to help me with transport and it bloomed from there.”

Saturday’s fundraiser will include Canada’s top Elvis tribute artist, a raffle, a baron of beef dinner, and an all-around good time, Newbark Co-ordinator Tracy Brooks said.

Since Brooks’ first day with Newbark in September, the group has found foster homes for 42 dogs, with 21 of those finding permanent homes in Merritt.

Before the animals are handed over, they are spayed or neutered and given shots.

Fur Ball is set to take place Saturday at the Royal Canadian Legion at 1940 Quilchena Ave. Tickets cost $40 and doors open at 5:30 p.m.

Each dog costs $300 to adopt, but the price Newbark pays to rescue each animal is about $450.