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Fundraiser brings money, awareness to animals looking for home

St. PETrick's Day fundraiser

Steve Marcus

Devon,” a 2-year-old poodle-mix, is held by emcee Amy Heart during a St. PETrick’s Day fundraiser at Aliante Station in North Las Vegas Sunday, March 20, 2011. Proceeds from the fundraiser benefited The Animal Foundation. Amy Heart is the host of the nationally syndicated radio show “Amy’s Heart After Dark.”

St. PETrick's Day

Blackjack dealer Soka McMellon greets Launch slideshow »

Maybe the song choice was coincidence, but the dogs parading into the St. PETrick's Day event at Aliante Station on Sunday certainly seemed to enjoy Kevin Rudolf's hit "Let It Rock" blaring over the speakers.

Their tails wagged and tongues panted to the lyrics, "Because when I arrive I — I'll bring the fire ... Let it rock, let it rock, let it rock."

They had reason to be happy: a chance for adoption and more money being given to their temporary home, The Animal Foundation, a private, nonprofit agency that operates the Lied Animal Shelter in Las Vegas.

Attendees, who paid a cover charge benefiting The Animal Foundation, enjoyed a craft beer-tasting from Budweiser, vegetarian food sampling from Aliante Station's Italian restaurant Il Vino Cucina & Wine Bar and rounds of blackjack inside the event.

"I hope they have a lot of fun and realize that our animals are great, and they just need a little love," said Meghan Scheibe, assistant director of development at The Animal Foundation.

The event also brought out self-proclaimed animal lovers Pro BMX rider T.J. Lavin and celebrity emcee Amy Heart, who has a nationally syndicated radio show, "Amy's Heart After Dark."

"I think found dogs are the best because they appreciate you stopped," said Lavin, who proudly owns a stray dog he found on Decatur Boulevard.

St. PETrick's Day evolved after officials from Aliante Station approached the foundation about wanting to coordinate a charity event to benefit the thousands of homeless animals in Las Vegas, Scheibe said. Gloomy and windy weather, however, forced the event indoors as opposed to its planned pool setting.

Click to enlarge photo

Volunteer Anneli Adolfsson carries in "Linus," a 2-year-old chihuahua-mix, during a St. PETrick's Day fundraiser at Aliante Station in North Las Vegas Sunday, March 20, 2011. Proceeds from the fundraiser benefited The Animal Foundation.

But the change of scenery didn't phase Dusty, a 4-year-old terrier mix, who nosed around his surroundings and warmly greeted visitors.

Dusty was one of the 10 dogs brought to the event — all hoping for a home after being spayed or neutered and implanted with a microchip.

Steve Tice, a volunteer at The Animal Foundation, immediately showed a picture of his two shelter rescue dogs, pit bulls Romeo and Chico, citing them as his inspiration for helping at the event.

"It was a way to continue staying involved, even though my house is full," he said while holding Dusty's leash.

The Animal Foundation relies on donations to cover most sheltering costs because municipal contracts only provide funds for the first 72 hours of each animal's admittance, Scheibe said.

The foundation hoped to raise upwards of $15,000 at St. PETrick's Day, the first in a series of planned events to raise awareness and, as a result, lead to more adoptions, Scheibe said.

"We're really hoping to increase advocacy and get our name out there more," she said.

Last year, the foundation took in 11,000 more animals than the Animal Care and Control in New York City, Scheibe said. That means 150 to 160 animals arrive at the shelter each day, adding up to more than 50,000 per year.

Click to enlarge photo

Blackjack dealer Soka McMellon greets "Louise," a brindled short-hair chihuahua, during a St. PETrick's Day fundraiser at Aliante Station in North Las Vegas Sunday, March 20, 2011. Proceeds from the fundraiser benefited The Animal Foundation.

"It's a combination of things," Scheibe said of the high number, including "people not spaying or neutering their pets."

To help minimize animal populations, The Animal Foundation opened a low-cost spay and neuter clinic in February, Scheibe said. The cost is about $85, depending on the animal, at the foundation's campus, 655 N. Mojave Road.

For Sharon Elliott and Robert Lane, it was their new bundle of joy — 2-year-old Sammie, a boxer they adopted from the shelter two weeks ago — who motivated them to attend and support St. PETrick's Day.

"She won us over as soon as she came out the door," Elliott said.

Now, they intend to pay the goodwill forward in honor of Sammie.

"We'll be a lot more involved," Elliott said. "She's part of the family now."

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