Wet n' Woofy 2008 - Lincoln Village Pool
The third annual Wet n’ Woofy organized by Gone to the Dogs was a cool way to raise money for the planned Hagan Dog Park. On Saturday at Lincoln Village pool off of Routier Road dogs of all shapes and sizes splashed, dashed, ran and swam their hearts out. The event raised another $419 towards building of the Hagan Dog Park bringing the grand total raised to date to $33,000. The Cordova Recreation and Park District has already designated $25,000 in total from their budget the last two years.
The Hagan Dog Park has been in the planning stages for about 3 years. Brian Fansler, a volunteer and organizer, said “this event is great because it doesn’t require a lot of volunteers or money. It allows dogs to socialize, cool off and it’s safer than swimming in a river or lake.” Some of the participants remarked that the event was also beneficial because it shows how successful a dog park could be in Rancho Cordova.
Planning for the first Rancho Cordova dog park is well on its way but still has some hurdles. There is a committed group of volunteers who have been diligently raising money, a site near the CRPD headquarters inside Hagan Park has been selected, now the group needs a landscape architect to design the park. The CRPD is in the process of advertising the position for hire. The dog park volunteers hope to have the dog park built sometime in the Spring of 2009.
There is still additional fund raising needed to include an ADA required water system which would include hose bibs and fountains. The estimated cost is an additional $4,000. The water system would provide water for dogs and humans alike. Other major expenses which will have to be covered include the fencing, trash recepticles, seating and signs. Brian says, “the Gone to the Dogs group is always accepting donations of time or money.”
One agency which has yet to donate money is the City of Rancho Cordova. In many other incorporated cities, the City has provided significant funds to assist in opening the first dog park for the City. The City of Folsom for example recently provided over $100,000 towards the first dog park in Cummins Family Park. Volunteer groups like the Folsom Independent Dog Owners (FIDO) have raised the remaining cost over eight years of fund raising. The recently opened their first off leash dog park in Folsom.
Other organizations like TEAM have used innovative ways to raise money like payroll deduction for County employees. TEAM is the nonprofit support group for the Sacramento County Department of Animal Care and Regulation and focuses on fund raising and community education on behalf of shelter animals and related issues. TEAM which stands for Teaching Everyone Animals Matter has helped the Sacramento County Animal Shelter raise money for among many other things; improved veterinary care, foster care, sponsorships and adoption of shelter animals. Sacramento County is preparing to open a dog park of their own off of Bradshaw road in coordination with the support of TEAM.
According to the TEAM website each year more than 20,000 animals end up at the County’s animal shelter. Most are discarded by their owners or lost, and many are impounded by shelter staff because of abuse, neglect or abandonment. Significant numbers arrive at the shelter unaltered, sick or injured, and funding for veterinary care and supplies is limited.
The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors have approved and construction has started on a new animal shelter for the County Animal Care and Regulation department, otherwise known as the animal shelter. The new building is located off of Bradshaw road south of Highway 50, between Goethe and Safetyville. The new animal shelter will include a two acre dog park.
The ARC department would like the new facility to be more than a shelter for homeless animals. They envision that the new facility will become a resource for all animal issues including education, training and socialization. By providing this valuable public resource they hope to encourage residents to visit their shelter when they are looking for a new pet, volunteer, donate and get involved with the Sacramento shelter community.
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