Robinson’s Rescue takes fundraiser to the dance floor

Photography by Ellen Cannon / Model Whitney Hadwin

Riverview Hall will geaux to the dogs (and a cat) Saturday, March 2, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. as Robinson’s Rescue presents Best in Sheaux.

According to CEO and veterinarian Dr. Andrea Everson, the William A. Robinson Foundation is presenting the event to benefit Robinson’s Rescue and its mission.

She described the event as “the largest fundraiser for Robinson’s Rescue. This fundraiser is part of the community support that helps us keep our prices down and focus on the animals in need. We have not had to increase our service prices since 2008, which is unheard of in a day and age with everything increasing and all of our supplies increasing. We’re so thankful for the community support and for coming out to fundraisers like this.

“We have helped over 91,000 dogs and cats get spay/neutered. We are decreasing the overpopulation problem by preventing unwanted litters.” This is the 15th year for the fundraiser, which started as a small affair at Zocolo restaurant in Ashley Ridge.

“It was on a Tuesday or Thursday night, and we had a silent auction, and we watched the Westminster Dog Show. It just started with everyone wanting every stray, every mutt, to have the best life possible. And for none of these animals to be out where they could be hit by cars, living outside in bad weather — that kind of thing.”

Over time, the group began creating their own unique runway show with a different theme each year. This year it will be the Disco Infurno. Yes, that’s spelled correctly.

“We’re going to transform Riverview Hall into a Studio 54 back in the disco days,” Everson said. “We have an awesome Deejay, and the dogs are going to get all dressed up and walk the runway.” This year’s masters of ceremonies will be Mrs. Biskie Duncan and Sheriff Steve Prator. Tickets are $100 a person or $1,000 for a table of 12.

The official invitation says, “Put on your Classy Disco Cocktail attire and join us for delicious food, cocktails, music and fur fun. You don’t want to miss this stylish event where pure breeds to our beloved mutts strut their stuff.”

Since it is a fundraiser, you can also vote for your favorite contestant online. “Each vote costs $5,” Everson said. “So, people try to campaign for their dog. The voting, silent auction and raffle will all start Feb. 19 going live.” You can log in to all the voting and see the goodies available by going to www.bis2024.givesmart.com.

Everson said if you go to the site, you can vote for your favorite entrant, peruse the silent auction items, and get raffle tickets.

She said the event features some “amazing” raffle items, including a wheelbarrow of liquor and over $1,200 in local restaurant gift cards. She notes that the silent auction will feature more than 70 items pet lovers can bid on.

The online portion of the event will be live from February 19 to March 3 to give people plenty of time to get their bids in, make their donations, or figure out just what a Disco Infurno is.

This year’s contestants are unique because, for the first time, a member of the feline species will join the canines in pursuit of the coveted Best in Sheaux trophy. “We’re so excited. We’ve never had a cat before. It’s really going to be a lot of fun. You’ll see all different types, all different sizes of dogs. Their owners get to choose the song they walk the runway with,” Everson said.

She explained that the lone cat was dumped behind Robinson’s Rescue. A good friend of the Rescue adopted him and even taught him to walk on a harness. He’ll be strutting his stuff on the runway amidst the other 14 contestants. There is no indication that Tom(cat) realizes he’ll be facing some long odds and longer snouts.

The evening’s winner will not only get the trophy but also receive a gift basket. All the competitors will be featured in a pictorial calendar as well.

“All the proceeds raised go to helping the dogs and cats in our spay/neuter program. We have three different programs. We have the general low cost, which has not had to increase, which is open for everyone. Then we have, for income-based citizens, we have SSNIP which is a subset of the spay/neuter incentive program. They can get their spays and neuters for free. Our third program is for rescues and shelters. We offer them that low-cost price so they can get the animals spayed and neutered before they are adopted. That’s one less thing the new adopter has to worry about.”

Local support is essential for the nonprofit because it makes it possible to serve those 91,000 animals, reducing the number of unwanted puppies and kittens in the area. They believe that removing the financial obstacle through affordable pricing of spay and neuter services means more pet owners will take advantage of their services.

They aim to help ensure northwest Louisiana becomes a leader in animal welfare and the ideal pet-friendly community. The plan includes making euthanasia obsolete here because there will be a loving home for every pet.

Anytime between February 19 and March 3, you can go online and vote for your favorite fur-bearing beauty, and, unlike in some other contests, you can vote as many times as you like. After all, it’s all to support the mission of Robinson’s Rescue to eliminate euthanasia in our area and educate the community about responsible pet ownership. So, we keep our area from going to the dogs — and cats.