by Cate Ogden
April ushers in the joys of spring: flowers, the ospreys return, the hummingbirds gracefulness, butterflies, bees and being back on the “rivah.” But the most exciting and fun event of spring is Middlesex Pet Friends for Life’s upcoming Festival for the Animals fundraising concert!
Proceeds from the annual event, which features the Tom Euler Trio, will go to help the homeless animals of the area. It is planned for 4-7 p.m. Saturday, April 29 at Deltaville Maritime Museum (DMM) at 287 Jackson Creek Road in Deltaville.
Hartfield-based Tom Euler Trio is a progressive blues/rock group known for its high energy and thoughtfully written songs. “Often called the ‘young man with an old soul,’ Euler takes influence from such guitarists as JP Soars, Luther Allison, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Joe Bonamassa and B.B. King, along with many other greats across all genres of music,” reads a blurb on the trio’s website. Joining Euler in the trio is Wes Mallory on bass and “Smiling” Max Parker on drums. The trio is expected to offer great tail waggin’, paw tappin’ music for its DMM concert.
The event includes Louisiana cuisine catered by the wonderful chef, Beau, of the popular Gumbeaus Catering in Gloucester with lots of yummy treats. Plus, the “cookie lady” will be there for folks with a sweet tooth.
The $45 ticket price includes dinner and one drink, the concert and all the fun you can have wrapped into a great evening. There will also be beer, wine and soft drinks available.
They will present a silent auction in DMM’s tea house with items from local merchants featuring original art by noted artists, river cruises, home décor, fine jewelry, interior design consultations, a variety of nautical items, dinners from notable restaurants and much more with several upscale surprises. There will also be a 50/50 raffle and lots of other fun treats.
Tickets should be purchased in advance at DMM, Urbanna Trading Company, Hartfield’s Salon by the Bay, Deltaville’s Hurds True Value Hardware, Cooks Corner’s Middlesex County Animal Shelter, Kilmarnock’s Papeterie and Gloucester’s Kelsick Specialty Market. You can also purchase tickets from any MPFL volunteer.
All proceeds go directly to fund the medical needs of the animals under the care of the Middlesex County Animal Shelter in Cooks Corner. Middlesex County provides shelter and food for the dogs at the shelter, but does not provide funding for needed medical care, whether it’s maintenance care such as vaccines or required emergency care.
Volunteers foster the felines that come to MPFL, since the county shelter provides no help for cats. All food and medical care for Middlesex cats is either donated or paid for by MPFL. Middlesex Pet Friends fills that void for these homeless animals and its upcoming fundraiser is the one major way we are able to provide that care.
About 70% of the dogs that come into the Middlesex shelter have heartworm disease — they haven’t been treated with a simple monthly pill or topical. This is a life-threatening disease. MPFL funds the veterinary treatment for these dogs, which is very expensive at an average cost of $350 per dog.
In addition, MPFL provide vaccines and emergency veterinary care. This year it had a dog who had two broken legs as a result of being hit by a car. She was a young, sweet dog. She wagged her tail even though in considerable pain. MPFL was called, and it stepped in to save her. She is now in foster care after major surgery and is recuperating nicely.
Another major surgery was for a young kitten brought in with a tumor in her ear canal. Again, this required a serious surgical procedure. She too is recovering nicely in foster care and hoping now for a forever home.
In both cases (and there are too many more to describe here) not only did MPFL provide funding for the care but our dedicated volunteers drove these babies back and forth to specialists for pre and post-surgical visits far out of the area.
None of this would be possible without generous supporters. The April 29 Festival for the Animals at DMM is a great, fun way to lend your support to this important cause. Organizers hope you will join them for a good time.
For information or to find out about adoptions or how else you can help, call 776-8098 or email roc@va.metrocast.net.
Middlesex Pet Friends for Life is a 501c3 all volunteer nonprofit organization. Its mission is to support the animals under the care of the Middlesex County Animal Shelter. Donations may be sent to MPFL, P.O. Box 145, Saluda, VA. 23149.
(Hartfield’s Cate Ogden is the president of Middlesex Pet Friends for Life. Email her at roc@va.metrocast.net.)
