SOUTH PADRE ISLAND — From helping stray dogs and cats get vetted and adopted to reuniting pets with their owners, Friends of Animal Rescue provides aid to lost and homeless animals on a daily basis.
Due to COVID-19, the shelter’s annual fundraisers have been canceled. So this summer, Friends of Animal Rescue personnel are going to try a new idea to help collect funds.
Friends of Animal Rescue will host a virtual fundraiser on Thursday, Aug. 20 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Facebook Live.
The fundraiser can be viewed on the shelter’s Facebook page at https://tinyurl.com/y6zz8tfz . The event will feature the shelter’s adoptable animals, adoption stories, staff, volunteers, donors and more.
“We filmed a bunch of pre-recorded testimonials and they’ll be edited to go during the live streaming,” Friends of Animal Rescue Director of Operations Sherry Pindard said. “We’ve never done anything like this before so we’re really excited.”
Pindard said because of COVID-19, the shelter wasn’t able to host its main annual fundraisers, such as “Raise the Ruff” and “Tails on the Beach.”
“We haven’t been able to have any fundraisers for the shelter so we decided to do it this way and so far the reaction from everybody has been really well,” Pindard said.
Those interested in making a donation are able to in a variety of ways.
Donations can be made online to [email protected] via PayPal or use the Facebook donate button during the event. Checks can be mailed to Friends of Animal Rescue at 4908 Padre Blvd., SPI TX 78597. Donations can be made over the phone by calling (956) 299-0032. Additionally, shelter personnel will have a curbside drive up donation bucket at the entrance of the shelter during the time of the event.
All proceeds will go toward taking care of lost and homeless animals at Friends of Animal Rescue.
“Be prepared for lots of surprises,” Pindard said about the event. “Thank you to everyone for their continued support as we do need the financial support.”
