Microchipping/Vaccination Clinic at Bigwag

We had a huge turnout for the Microchipping Clinic held at Bigwag on Saturday that was held by Northwest Arkansas Animal Rescue. I volunteer with that group, and it was great to see everyone bringing their dog despite threatening rain that managed to hold off in Rogers at least (see my post about the Skyhoundz K9 Disc Championship).

Mary Lou helping participants fill out their paperwork

This sweet baby is up for adoption at Sugar Creek Animal Rescue. She can't wait for the Bigwag treat I'm about to give her.

Starting off the new year with an apology

Unfortunately, I'm afraid I've got to apologize to our customers and fans to start off the new year. You see, we as a company, as well as a family (we are a family business) have been using a local publication's Pet Calendar as a form of advertising for two years now and my heart just sank when I opened up the calendar this year and saw that we were sharing advertising space with a business that supports puppy mills. It just made me sick.

We work very hard throughout the year to support local rescues and shelters, most notably the Northwest Arkansas Animal Rescue and the Humane Society for Animals in Benton County. We are absolutely against puppy mills, the cruel treatment they provide their animals and any business that supports puppy mills by purchasing animals from them. We refuse to do business with companies that support these types of organizations as a matter of principle. There are lots of pet stores out there and maybe it doesn't make good business sense, but we feel like if we have to support those kinds of organizations to stay in business, then we'd just soon close shop.

We own rescue dogs from the Humane Society. But you can also refrain from supporting puppy mills by purchasing an animal from a reputable breeder. How do you know if a breeder is reputable? There was an excellent article on the Pet Connection some weeks back on how to tell if a breeder is reputable. You can also rescue pure bred animals from breed specific rescues. www.petfinder.com is an excellent source for finding them.

With so many animals that need good homes right now, I can't emphasize enough how important it is to consider rescuing animals or supporting reputable breeders. The only way to stop puppy mills is to stop buying from them and to tell your friends and neighbors to do the same. And you can also help animals in need by volunteering at or donating to rescues and shelters. We domesticated these animals - they are under our stewardship now. We can't just throw them out like garbage.

So again, I apologize. Last year this publication did not have any advertising from these puppy mill supporters. If we'd known that we would not have placed any ads and we will not be advertising in this publication next year. The real unfortunate side effect is that I have to look at these ads for twelve months now.

Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament

Northwest Arkansas Animal Rescue held their first annual Texas Hold’em poker tournament November 8^th, 2008 to help raise funds for a mobile spay-neuter clinic, cover NWAAR operating costs and to protect animals. Over sixty five people came to watch and participate in Northwest Arkansas Animal Rescue’s first annual Texas Hold’em poker tournament fund raiser. Play was intense with players wanting to win the grand prize a 50” flat screen television. Players started entering the event at the Rogers-Bentonville Elk’s Lodge BPOE #2144 at one in the afternoon. Play began at two with sixty five players with Chris Peplinski of the Northwest Arkansas Poker Club overseeing play. Intense play continued until almost nine that evening. Drawings were made throughout the event for prizes ranging from gift certificates to a paint ball gun. People played at side tables entertaining themselves while waiting for the final winner to be announced.

Final play came down to the last table consisting of nine players. Onlookers watched as play slowly came down to the final grand prize winner Richard Coleman. Mr. Coleman had just lost his television and was very happy to win the 50” flat screen television.

Northwest Arkansas Animal Rescue held their first annual Texas Hold’em poker tournament November 8^th, 2008 to help raise funds for a mobile spay-neuter clinic, cover NWAAR operating costs and to protect animals. Northwest Arkansas Animal Rescue would like to extend a special thank you to Chris and Chrissy Peplinski for assisting NWAAR with organizing and holding the event. NWAAR would also like to thank all the sponsors, players and volunteers for their contributions. Just over two thousand seven hundred dollars was made during this event.

Who: Northwest Arkansas Animal Rescue
What: First Annual Poker Tournament Fund Raiser
Where: Rogers-Bentonville Elk’s Lodge BPOE #2144 located at 501 South 40th Street, Rogers
When: November 8th, 2008
Why: To help NWAAR raise funds for a mobile spay-neuter clinic, cover NWAAR operating costs and to protect animals
E-mail: spaynwa@yahoo.com
Phone: 479-439-7978
Website: www.nwa-animalrescue.blogspot.com
Founder: Mandy Keenen
Media contact: Pam Lamb