A holiday dog treat-making fundraiser will benefit area pets and a beloved local nonprofit organization.
“Doggy Dining: Holiday Treats Your dog can eat” will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Art Hive in Staunton on Thursday, December 5, 2024.
Proceeds will benefit The Mosby Foundation, a nonprofit organization that works to keep dogs and their families together. Participants can pre-register through The Art Hive website at a discounted rate or register at the door.
Activity will be led by Well Balanced Paw Owner Heather Leonard.
“It’s going to be an evening of having some fun, talking about pet nutrition, talking about good things for your pet, and you will go home with a basket full of goodies ready for your pet,” Leonard said. “I really wanted to share the baking we do here (at The Well Balanced Paw) and show you how to do it yourself. Also, we wanted to talk about things that are really good in pet treats, as well as things that shouldn’t be in your pet treats.”
If anyone understands the bond between dogs and humans, it’s Leonard. However, she said that for the Doggy Dining class, participants should leave their pets at home.
By attending the class, participants will benefit the many dogs that The Mosby Foundation helps on an annual basis.
“Anyone who wants to learn how to bake things that are very easy to do should come,” said Leonard, also a board member of The Mosby Foundation. “Any skill level of baking is welcome, and also anybody who wants to support the mission of the Mosby Foundation as well.”
The funds received will help The Mosby Foundation in their mission.
“Those funds will go to provide medical grants in the community to people who need help paying for their dog’s care,” said Sara Outler, executive director of The Mosby Foundation. “Sometimes, $300 to $400 can make a huge difference in whether a dog gets treatment or is euthanized for humane reasons. We don’t want to see families think about that, especially during the holidays.”
The Mosby Foundation hopes to raise funds for its pet food pantry and spay-neuter program.
“Financially, we’re still able to keep the doors open, but we’re not able to grant at the level the community needs,” Outler said. “I want to ask the community to help us fill in that gap, so that we can provide the level of service we’ve provided for 20 years.”
Outler works through the Foundation to make sure individuals do not lose their pets when they experience any type of financial difficulty.
“Dogs are such an integral part of our families,” Outler said. “They’re stress relievers. They are exercisers. They’re our coaches, and they’re our friends. And I think people need that in these times.”
Art Hive is at 835 Springhill Road, Staunton. Cost is $40 for pre-registration, $50 at the door.
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Rebecca Barnabi
