Ahimsa* Rescue Foundation (ARF), a 501(c)3 established in 2004 to place homeless companion pets in loving homes in eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas, is hosting its third annual Saving Paws: Magic, Music and Mutts, on Oct. 12 from 6-10 p.m. at Fort Smith’s Riverfront Pavilion, Front Street and North B.
New for this year is a live auction featuring a limited edition Blue Dog print signed and numbered by George Rodrigue as well as a set of Piranesi designer earrings.
Proceeds are earmarked for ARF’s on-going project to transform Hall No.1 of a former Muldrow nursing home into an animal rescue and adoption facility. Since its inception, ARF has placed more than 1,600 animals in carefully screened homes.
“It takes a lot of money and volunteers to find these animals homes,” says Teresa Morton, ARF founder. “We need a lot of both because we are breaking all records with the amount of homeless animals that come to us. We are getting many homeless animals from Fort Smith as well.”
The Boxfoot Blues Band and magician Joey Williams respectively serve up the music and magic. Ralph’s Pink Flamingo cooks up the barbecue while local funny guy and ARF volunteer, Doug Shadell, hosts. Vegetarian guests will also have vegan and vegetarian dishes available to them as well as the soon-to-be-infamous homemade dessert bar.
Spay FIRST! of Tulsa founder, Ruth Steinberger, makes a guest appearance stressing the importance of spaying and neutering companion animals and how enforced spay/neuter mandates have decreased shelter intakes and euthanasia rates in Tulsa, Lawton and Claremore, Okla.
Tickets, which include food and drinks, are $50; tables (seating eight) are $500. All donations are tax-deductible. Tickets available at Belle Starr Antiques or by calling 918-427-5087, emailing savingpaws@aol.com or visiting http://www.ahimsarescuefoundation.org/ or https://www.facebook.com/AhimsaRescueFoundation .
