It’s nearly time for dog (and cat) lovers of Cochrane to dust off their dancing shoes, break out their wallets and raise their glasses once again in honour of our furry friends.
According to organizer Kendra Watt, the upcoming Hair of the Dog event for the Cochrane & Area Humane Society puts the ‘fun’ in fundraiser for area residents looking for a good time while simultaneously raising significant funds for the local humane society.
One of the most anticipated fundraisers in Cochrane’s dog-lovers community started eight years ago, when Watt and her best friend Kari Jensen decided to do something to help raise money for the humane society in the wake of Watt losing her dog.
“It was such a success the first year, and the humane society was so grateful they suggested we do it again and it turned into an annual event,” she said. “It’s a good time, it’s a cheap ticket, and a lot of the people are so generous that we end up raising a pretty significant amount of funds.”
Part of the reason for the event’s continued success, Watt thinks, is because Cochrane is such an animal-friendly town, and the community appreciates the work of the humane society.
“Everybody in Cochrane has a dog, or a cat. It’s a very pet-friendly community, and everyone’s always happy to support them,” she said.
“It’s a good excuse for a social event and it’s a good cause.”
Watt says they usually raise between $16,000 and $20,000 just in auction items alone. Last year, they raised just over $40,000.
Perhaps a bit ironically, dogs are not actually allowed at the fundraiser – though last year, one of Watt’s rescues made a surprise appearance and had to go around saying hello to everyone before she could usher it out.
Watt has three rescue dogs herself, all of whom came from the humane society.
“I feel like my house is not complete unless I have at least three dogs,” she said with a laugh.
One of hers is QB, who in a previous life was the ‘clubhouse dog’ of the Calgary Stampeders.
She often fosters dogs then doesn’t give them back.
“The common term for that is a foster fail, but we like to call it a foster win,” she joked. “All the dogs in my family – Foxy, Dharma, and QB – are amazing.”
The eighth annual Hair of the Dog fundraising event is sponsored by Kendra Watt Real Estate Group, Erol’s Automotive, Global Pet Foods Cochrane, Springfield Kennels, Royal Mechanical Services, and Jensen Ranch.
It will be hosted by The Venue Bar and Grill on Saturday, June 11. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. There will be a live band, silent and live auction, and prizes.
Tickets are $40 which includes dinner, entertainment, and prizes.
For tickets, go to cochranehumane.ca.
