Helping animals in need

To make help more accessible to the community, the Borderland Humane Society is hosting the third annual Cause for Paws event from 6-10 p.m. April 2 at the AmericInn in the Falls.

The family-oriented fundraiser, sponsored by UnitedHealth Group, will feature a spaghetti dinner, live and silent auctions, games, a raffle, guest speakers and a cash bar to help raise money for the BHS. Any money raised will assist with the costs of running the holding facility, providing foster care and paying veterinary bills.

Kallie Kantos-Fritz, BHS volunteer coordinator, said the event helps to educate the community about the BHS — what it does, how it helps animals and the other aspects of the organization.

“Overall, it promotes knowledge and encourages people to open up their hearts and adopt an animal from a shelter,” she said.

Kantos-Fritz said she became involved in the organization and fundraiser after her cat, “Fido,” died a few years ago.

“I took what energy I had left and started spending my spare time volunteering at the BHS,” she explained. “Last year, I spent literally hundreds of hours helping the BHS in any way possible. Many tears have been shed, but not all sad tears, there are also many tears of happiness, and plenty of laughter. Being on the Cause for Paws committee is just another way I can help the BHS.”

The Cause for Paws committee did some rearranging of this year’s event, Kantos-Fritz noted. There will be a spaghetti dinner instead of hors d’oeuvres, a raffle with a print donated by Picture Perfect, and for the first time, games will be played. Kantos-Fritz said the committee hopes these changes will help exceed the $6,500 raised at last year’s event.

“With the economy not stabilized yet, there is no way to know how much money will be raised,” she said of how much she predicts the event will bring in. “We can only hope for the best possible outcome.”

Kantos-Fritz added that those attending will have the opportunity to hear from speakers Max Bitterman, who is known as the “Dog Whisperer of Minnesota.” Bitterman is the founder of Your Dog’s Best Friend and is also a certified dog behaviorist. Attendees will also hear from Robert Cole, a senior certified dog behaviorist from Minneapolis.

“It will be interesting to listen to them and learn from the knowledge they have obtained through years of working with dogs,” Kantos-Fritz said.

There will be a video shown featuring BHS animals that have found themselves homes, along with those that are up for adoption, Kantos-Fritz said. Photos of the animals with a brief description and biography will also be available for viewing.

While BHS doesn’t allow anyone to adopt an animal on the spot, Kantos-Fritz hopes a lot of animals in need will find good homes as a result from the event.

“The BHS has a 24-hour adoption approval policy,” she explained. “We don’t want people to do something on the spur of the moment and regret it later. Adopting an animal is a lifelong commitment (for the animal). Adoption is something the BHS takes very seriously. We want to make sure the animals and their potential family will be a good match.”

Auction items are listed on the BHS Web site at www.borderlandhumanesociety.org, and Kantos-Fritz noted that dozens more are being added in the next few weeks. Donations from area and out-of-town business available for bidding include a boat ride donated by Voyageurs National Park, a one-night stay in a Jacuzzi suite at America’s Best Value Inn, carved moose antlers by local artist Terry Sabotta, gift certificates from organizations around the area and more.

All the proceeds raised from the fundraiser will go towards the animals at the holding facility and those in foster care, Kantos-Fritz concluded.

Tickets are $20 in advance at City Drug, Rainy River Veterinary Hospital and the Chamber of Commerce. Tickets can also be purchased for $25 at the door.