Picnic with the Pups a positive Westerville fundraiser

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Picnic with the Pops is to music lovers as Picnic with the Pups is to dog lovers.

CHA Animal Shelter’s Picnic with the Pups is set to take place on Sept. 17 from 4-8 p.m. This will be the 10th year for the fundraising event.

Picnic with the Pups raises money for shelter necessities, including food, spay and neuter operations, and vaccines. The shelter offers all kinds of activities for people and dogs alike to enjoy the fall day while being charitable.

This year, the “Doggy Olympics” will be set up all day for dogs to participate in as they please, says Stephanie Wimbish, shelter director. It will consist of multiple stations from ball retrieval to swimming to appeal to all kinds of dogs and levels of obedience.

Shelter leadership also hopes its animals use the opportunity to find forever homes through the organization’s ongoing adopt-a-thon. For the event, the adoption fee for cats and kittens is down to just $5, though all dogs and cats in the shelter will be available to adopt.

Throughout the day, there will also be talks to educate dog owners on training, nutrition and other important topics to keep them happy and healthy. Micro-chipping service will also be offered.

The family-friendly event doesn’t only appeal to furry friends. Vendors will offer food for humans and dogs alike, as well as toys and other knick-knacks for both audiences. The event will have fun activities for kids, including a bounce house and a DJ to provide musical entertainment. 

While any dogs and families in the area are welcome to attend, Wimbish says her favorite part of the event each year is getting to see animals that were adopted from the shelter in the past come back.

“Different staff members and volunteers have their favorites over the years, so it’s really neat to see the dogs come back, but also to see the staff and volunteers reactions when they get to see that favorite,” she says. “It’s so nice to see them with an owner who cares enough to bring them to a fun dog event.”

Hannah Herner is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Picnic with the Pups

4-8 p.m., CHA Animal Shelter, 3765 Corporate Dr., Columbus

For those with concerns about the dog’s safety with hot pavement, the pavement will be kept wet to keep the temperature down, and the majority of Picnic with the Pups takes place in the grassy area.

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