Salty Paws Festival fetches fun for dogs and owners
Veronica Pentony | Staff Writer
Issue date: 10/28/09 Section: Lifestyles
The first annual Salty Paws Festival was held at Carolina Beach Lake this past Saturday, Oct. 17. It was free to the public, but donations were accepted for the Hurricane Katrina Animal Shelter.
The Salty Paws Festival aimed to promote owner awareness and protection for not only dogs, but all animals. Several booths were set up along the lake path representing over 30 different organizations all supporting diverse causes dealing with a variety of animals.
Among the different booths was Monty's Home partnered with Pawsitive Partners Prison Program. The Pawsitive Partners Prison Program pairs inmates with rescued dogs. The inmates are then fully responsible for training their assigned dog.
"Training lasts eight weeks and we only train five dogs at a time. This was the first year of the program and we are working with Pender County prison," said the founder of Monty's Home, Barbara Raab. The program started in September and the dogs will graduate from their training in December.
"The dogs live in a kennel inside the prison. The inmates must feed them and let them out to play, but they are also responsible for training the basic commands, like not jumping on people or pulling on the leash," Raab said. In December, when the rescued dogs graduate from their training, they will be returned to their owner's home or will be put up for adoption.
At the Salty Paws Festival there were several booths dedicated to finding rescued animals good homes. The Wildlife Rehabilitation and Resource Center trains animals and then, instead of finding them a new home, releases them back into their natural habitat. The center cares for orphaned and injured wildlife.
"We take in orphaned or injured animals and then release them into their natural home when they are ready," said Beth Havener, "Although, right now we have seven baby squirrels and, unfortunately, they will not be able to be released and will depend on us to live."
Havener and her husband are both very passionate about helping orphaned and injured animals, especially small rodents. State law prohibits the Haveners from taking in foxes and raccoons because of the risk of rabies; on the other hand, the couple is always willing to take in squirrels.
The Salty Paws Festival aimed to promote owner awareness and protection for not only dogs, but all animals. Several booths were set up along the lake path representing over 30 different organizations all supporting diverse causes dealing with a variety of animals.
Among the different booths was Monty's Home partnered with Pawsitive Partners Prison Program. The Pawsitive Partners Prison Program pairs inmates with rescued dogs. The inmates are then fully responsible for training their assigned dog.
"Training lasts eight weeks and we only train five dogs at a time. This was the first year of the program and we are working with Pender County prison," said the founder of Monty's Home, Barbara Raab. The program started in September and the dogs will graduate from their training in December.
"The dogs live in a kennel inside the prison. The inmates must feed them and let them out to play, but they are also responsible for training the basic commands, like not jumping on people or pulling on the leash," Raab said. In December, when the rescued dogs graduate from their training, they will be returned to their owner's home or will be put up for adoption.
At the Salty Paws Festival there were several booths dedicated to finding rescued animals good homes. The Wildlife Rehabilitation and Resource Center trains animals and then, instead of finding them a new home, releases them back into their natural habitat. The center cares for orphaned and injured wildlife.
"We take in orphaned or injured animals and then release them into their natural home when they are ready," said Beth Havener, "Although, right now we have seven baby squirrels and, unfortunately, they will not be able to be released and will depend on us to live."
Havener and her husband are both very passionate about helping orphaned and injured animals, especially small rodents. State law prohibits the Haveners from taking in foxes and raccoons because of the risk of rabies; on the other hand, the couple is always willing to take in squirrels.
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