Pet owners can leave their mark and help upgrade and fence an off-leash dog park on Gladwin Road, by buying a fence post dedicated to their pet.
Residents can buy a post for a minimum donation of $20 and pay $5 for each plaque engraved with their pet's name and a four-word tribute..
Posts will be on sale at the Pet-a-Pawlooza, held on June 8 to raise money for the upgrades on the two-acre park located between Okanagan Drive and Haida Drive, off Gladwin Road.
The event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with booths and vendors for geared for both dogs and families. There will be a hot dog sale and photographers will take photos of pets by donation in order to raise money.
The events are being organized by Kendall De Menech, who runs a hydrotherapy program for dogs called K9H20, and Liza Whiteside, owner of the new Bosley's Pet Food Plus on Whatcom Road.
At the Pet-a-Pawlooza, Whiteside and De Menech will discuss the plans for the park and talk with residents about the project. They currently hope to add fencing around the park, create an area for small dogs, and activity field and a covered shelter for the dog owners, as well as other improvements.
"We want the neighbourhood of dog lovers to come out," said De Menech.
A number of fundraisers will happen in the meantime, including the sale of Kaslo's fresh-roasted coffee, sold for $17 a pound, with a portion going to the park. It will be sold at the Pet-a-Pawlooza event and from De Menech at K9H20.
On July 27, a fundraiser will be held at the Glen Bar and Grill, located at the Fraser Glen Golf Course on South Parallel Road. The event runs from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., with cheeseburgers, fries and a drink for $20, a golf event, silent auction, 50/50 draw and live music. Contact the Glen Bar and Grill, Ellwood Animal Hospital, K9H2O or Bosley's Pet Food Plus for tickets.
For anyone interested in donating, volunteering, or providing input to the park upgrades, contact De Menech at 604-864-2284 or by email at k9h20@shaw.ca, or Whiteside at Bosley's on Whatcom Road at 604-859-9056.