Petstock to raise funds for Shelter Alliance

Animal lovers will come together Saturday for a furry, four-legged version of Woodstock called Petstock.

Many animals will be on display, some available for adoption, at Petstock from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the 4-H building at Arena Park in Cape Girardeau.

Funds raised at Petstock will be donated to Shelter Alliance, a Jefferson County, Mo., based agency that provides supplies to more than 300 licensed animal shelters.

A chimpanzee, a gibbon and capuchin monkey will be there representing Missouri Ape and Primate, a shelter in Festus. Many exotic birds will be displayed and area animal rescue groups will have booths.

People are welcome to bring their own pets, on a leash or in a carrier, to take part in cutest pet, most unusual pet and best trick contests, which begin at noon.

Local dog trainer Melanie Coy with the Canine Good Citizen program and Connie Casey of Missouri Ape and Primate will be featured speakers at Petstock.

Shelter Alliance works with large corporations to secure donations and distribute them to small shelters around Missouri and across the nation.

Needs are growing at many shelters as people are forced to give up their animals in these tough economic times, said Debi Baker, who grew up in Scott City and now operates Shelter Alliance with partner Robin Roach.

"Adoptions are down and at the same time increasing numbers of animals are coming in," Baker said.

"People are losing their jobs and losing their homes. When people cut back, pets are the first thing on their list," Roach said.

Shelter Alliance supplies shelters and animal rescue operations, including several in Cape Girardeau, Bollinger and Scott counties, with shampoo, grooming supplies, cleaning products, vitamins and treats. While four companies are interested in donating pet food, Baker said Shelter Alliance doesn't have enough temperature-controlled warehouse space to accept food donations. All the funds raised from Saturday's event will go toward the construction of a new warehouse.

Similar Petstock fundraising events were recently held in St. Louis.

For more information, call 636-274-3385.

mmiller@semissourian.com

388-3646

Pertinent address:

410 Kiwanis Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO