Raising Money for Second Chances

The Nevada Humane Society is a no-kill animal shelter located in Reno, Nevada. Their mission is to help any animal that they possibly can. The Society raises awareness with events and fundraisers, as well as promoting adoption all year long. The Nevada Humane Society relies solely on donations, so they are always holding events that are for a good cause. A fantastic event being held by The Nevada Humane Society coming up soon is The Duck Race and Festival. This event will take place on Sunday, August 21, 2016 from 11–5 PM at Wingfield Park in downtown Reno. The event is filled with great prizes (a 2016 Toyota Corolla), entertainment, and food. And the best part is, there will be pet adoptions.

Kimberly Wade, the Senior Manager of Communications and Events for the Nevada Humane Society talks about what the event is all about:

“The goal is to raise money, specifically $150,000, and awareness for homeless pets at Nevada Humane Society.”

To participate in this event you can “adopt” a rubber duck, or ducks, for $5 with the adoption starting in June and ending in August. The adoption of 30,000 ducks is the goal they are trying to reach. If everyone could adopt just one duck, the Nevada Humane Society will reach their goal of raising $150,000 for the shelter. The adopted ducks will then race down the Truckee River to raise awareness and money for all homeless pets.

“There are also many great prizes for the first five ducks to surpass the finish line; the grand prize being a 2016 Toyota Corolla that was generously donated by Dick Campagni’s Carson City Toyota,” says Kimberly.

Awareness of pet adoption is the word they are trying to spread.

“Pet adoption not only allows shelter pets a second change at love and the family they deserve, but raises awareness for the sheer volume of unwanted pets across the country,” Kimberly says. “When you adopt from a local shelter, you are not only saving that one life, but making room for another pet in need.”

Adopting an animal has been known to bring happiness and love to both the family and animal.

When interviewing dog rescuer, Karly, she said that the whole experience has been a positive impact for both her and her dog.

“My family has always had dogs and I missed having one around when I left for school. It’s fun having a dog to take out and about with me and to cuddle at the end of the day,” Karly says, “I also felt inspired to volunteer after adopting my dog, Laila. She’s such a good dog and it makes me sad to think how many other dogs are great like her having to go to shelters.”

Karly says that the adoption process has also positively impacted Laila.

“Obviously adoption has lead to her having a forever home. Her previous owners surrendered her, which is a common reason dogs are in shelters. I intend to have her for her entire life. Because she is a small, potty trained, well-behaved dog, it made her ‘easily adoptable’. She was at a pet smart event and had only been in the shelter for a week so she didn’t have to go through a long stay at the shelter compared to some dogs,” Karly says.

Karly deeply believes that animals should be adopted and not bought.

“I am definitely about “adopt don’t shop”. I think if you can help a dog transition from most likely being abandoned to living a happy comfortable life in your home then that’s better than getting a puppy,” Karly says, “Some of these dogs were in rough homes or have been in the shelter for months and need people who are patient to essentially nurse their minds back to health. Dogs literally get “kennel craze” from being in shelters for too long.”

The Duck Race and Festival is the perfect way to help the shelter. The Nevada Humane Society is always looking for donations and people wanting to adopt. The community is urged to come out and support this amazing society. With the purchase of just one duck for $5, it could possibly help save a life of an animal in need. So, come out and support on August 21, and help make a change!