Pirate fanatics won’t have to cross the seven seas to see the likes of Captain Hook, Dread Pirate Roberts or Captain Jack Sparrow Saturday, Sept. 17.
Local rescue groups will be dressing up adoptable dogs, cats and birds in their best marauder gear next weekend as part of the sixth annual Fashion, Feathers and Fur event at the National Guard Armory.
The event, sponsored by Timberlane Pet Hospital and Resort, features furry friends from Second Chance Boxer Rescue and Friends, 4 Lucky Dogs Pet Rescue, Florida Parrot Rescue, Pennies for Pockets and Vets for Pets. All funds from the event go back to those charities for animal care.
“We would like to raise $30,000,” Dr. Christy Layton, of Timberlane Pet Hospital and Resort, said. “We were at $30,000 last year and we’re hoping to repeat that.”
Layton and her hospital’s practice manager, Adrienne swisher, first developed the idea six years ago after a brainstorming session.
“We did a lot of fostering and caring for animals in the community.” Layton said.
The women asked local rescue groups what they needed most, and the answers were nearly identical: funds. To date, Fashion, Feathers and Fur has raised over $130,000 for local rescue agencies. All rescue groups included in the event have been personally approved by Layton and her staff.
“We decided to put it together,” Layton said. “It was a little event that has grown into a $30,000 per year fundraiser. It’s all local animal charities, all ones that we’ve worked with personally. All the money goes straight to the animals.”
A Tail-Wagging Good Time
For $50, attendees will be able to watch the animal fashion show and enjoy hors d’oeuvres. Guests, who are encouraged to wear their favorite pirate attire, can also participate in a selfie booth and vote for their favorite sweet treat in a dessert competition.
Each of the animal rescue groups benefitting from the event are participating in the dessert competition, some with sponsors of their own. The Brandon-based 3C’s Catering and the Florida Strawberry Growers’ Association
have both signed on to whip up delicacies for the competition. Attendees can stuff voting boxes with cash in support of their favorite dessert, with those funds also going back to the charities.
Additionally, guests will be able to participate in silent and live auctions. Items up for grabs include over 60 baskets of goodies from high-end bourbons and margarita pitchers to botox packages and a trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
And, of course, there are the animals:
There’s Hector, a former street dog and 8-year-old Pekingese mix who is all about cuddling.
There’s Kota, a pit bull rescued just over one year ago who went from being afraid to pass through door frames to recovering from a heavy intestinal parasite.
There’s boxers and bull dogs, chihuahuas and pit bull mixes — and they all need homes.
If a guest falls in love with an adoptable animal at the event, they are encouraged to fill out an application. Potential fur-ever homes will be visited and the animals will undergo vet checks and be given preventative medicines before they are officially adopted out.
“Then they go home,” Layton said. “That’s how most of the groups work.”
In previous years, between two to eight animals featured at the event have been adopted by audience members.
Tickets to the event are available for $50 online and also can be purchased at Timberlane Pet Hospital and Resort. RSVP to the event is requested by Wednesday, Sept. 14.
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.