Note from Blogger: Please take a moment and read this WONDERFUL article that our CP cousin, Lee Juslin (http://www.ibdoggone.com/) wrote for Col. Potter.
Over a recent three day weekend, Col. Potter Cairn Terrier Rescue celebrated it's annual CRAP.
CRAP, which stands for Cairn Rescue Annual Party, is the biggest fund raising gathering the group puts on. This year about one hundred human attendees and one hundred and four dogs gathered in Moscow Mills, MO, though the site rotates every year, for fun, camaraderie, and education about their beloved breed, the Cairn Terrier. Every region of the country was represented from New England to California.
Over the three day celebration, the attendees participated in doggy games, attended seminars on proper grooming and teaching a dog simple tricks, held a doggy costume parade, and participated in a round table discussion on nutrition, titers, and vaccines. And, of course, there was the fund raising with a live auction, a silent auction, a raffle, and every conceivable Cairn Terrier collectible for sale from tee shirts to handmade quilts to statues; all bearing the likeness of a Cairn. There was even a handmade Cairn Terrier butler.
Although Col. Potter is run entirely by volunteers, rescued dogs are vetted, rehabilitated, even neutered and spayed before being placed either temporarily in foster homes or in well screened forever homes, so money is needed to cover these expenses as well as reimbursement for travel expenses when volunteers pick up or deliver dogs. At this year's CRAP five Cairns went to their forever homes, several came directly from a vet to be transported on to foster homes, and several others came to CRAP with their foster parents to be sent on to their forever homes.
In addition to all the usual events, this year's CRAP, because it was held over Father's Day weekend, featured a special tribute to the men who volunteer to help Cairns. In fact, it was announced that the next male Cairn to come into Col. Potter from a puppy mill will be named Pappy in honor of all the fathers who gave up their Father's Day in order to support Col Potter and the Cairns in need. At each CRAP the group also gives out it's annual Acorn Award recognizing volunteers who have made significant contributions going above and beyond over the last year.
Our CRAP is a time when we come to together to celebrate the Cairn Terrier and also to show our volunteers how appreciated they are, said Amy Robinson, a member of the Col. Potter all volunteer board of directors. We have a lot of fun, but we never lose sight of our main purpose, which is to rescue Cairns that, without our efforts, would be doomed to lives of misery and suffering in unspeakable conditions that are all too typical of puppy mills.
In an ideal world, every dog and cat would live with a family to be loved and cared for throughout its short life. Sadly, this is not the reality, and the need for rescue organizations like Col Potter Cairn Terrier Rescue Network is as great today as ever. Since its formation in 2000, the organization has rescued 2500 dogs. They come from puppy mills, backyard breeders, shelters, even owner turn-ins necessitated when an owner dies or a family can no longer care for a dog. Currently, given the poor economic conditions, Col. Potter expects a record year for rescued Cairns.
In addition to partying, the group provides rehabilitation and vet care including spay and neutering for the dogs they take in. They screen prospective adoptees including a home visit, they provide foster homes for those dogs who may not be adoptable or who need special care to become eligible for adoption, and they work to educate the public about responsible dog ownership.
Col. Potter Cairn Terrier Rescue Network is a federally registered 5013C charity. If you would like to learn more about Col. Potter, adopt a Cairn, become a volunteer, or give a tax deductible donation, you can visit their website: Col. Potter.
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