Pet party to help animal rescue group

Saving a dog or cat's life will be easier on Sunday, July 26, in East Dundee.

That's the day and the place that the Hoof, Woof, and Meow Animal Rescue group will hold a fundraiser at Diamond Jim's tavern, 325 Meier St., so abandoned dogs and cats stay out of kill shelters and find loving families.

Along with food and drink specials and raffles, some animals will be on hand and walk in a four-legged parade to show they still have love and companionship in their hearts and souls.

"Diamond Jim's has a beer garden, which allows animals in," said Dr. Katie King, medical director of the Gilberts-based group. "It'll be good to hold it there to give people a chance to see who they will be helping.

From the time the pet party starts at 1 p.m. and ends at 5 p.m., she and her volunteers will work to reach their $10,000 goal. The money will be spent on medical care for sick and injured animals. Also, it will be used to house, feed and transport the animals to clinics and foster homes.

"Many of the animals we receive have been given up. Their owners have lost their homes or jobs, and they could no longer afford to take care of them," King said. "We receive some animals from kill shelters in the southern part of the state."

Some of the dogs and cats are young and healthy. Others are older, and a good portion of them are sick.

"Our not-for-profit group is three years old. So far, we've treated 15 dogs for heart worm and four for parvovirus. These are life-threatening diseases," King said.

When Hoof, Woof, and Meow volunteers obtain dogs and cats, they are given physical examinations. If it is determined they are healthy, they are placed in foster homes until adoptive families are found, said Alana Woodbury a shelter volunteer.

People who attend Sunday's fundraiser will not only be able to meet some animals, but they can begin the adoption process if a cat or dog creeps into their hearts.

"The cost to adopt an animal is about $325," King said. "We'll start the paperwork on Sunday, but because background checks must be done (on the applicants), the animals won't be able to go home with the people that day."

For details on the fundraiser or about the group, visit hoofwoofmeow.org or call (847) 836-7387.