Fundraiser for Everett shelter aims to improve animals' lives

EVERETT -- The calls came flooding in about a small black dog running loose in south Everett.

One caller saw the dog get hit by a car and scurry into the brush.

The dog ended up at the Everett Animal Shelter with a badly broken leg. She lived, but the shelter's veterinarian had to amputate the dog's leg.

The shelter staff named the dog Pearl.

She's one of a host of dogs available for adoption at Shakaroo, a fundraiser planned for 8 p.m. Friday at the Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Ave. Tickets cost $15.

The shelter was not immune when the city cut its budget by millions of dollars last year.

The shelter plans to make up some of the difference at Shakaroo, an event featuring reggae rock, dancers and a pooch pageant set to the theme of Miss America.

Don't worry: The pooch pageant won't feature a swimsuit division, although a cute T-shirt might be slipped onto a willing pup.

The budget cuts have left the shelter staff spread thin and there's not much money for things that enrich life at the shelter, such as toys for dogs, said Shannon Delgado, shelter manager.

The money raised will go toward all the animals at the shelter.

She described Shakaroo as a "people event," meaning don't bring your pets; the only animals present will be dogs from the shelter which need homes.

Plenty of cats need homes, too, she said. It was too stressful for the cats to be a part of the action.

"They voted to stay at home," she quipped.

Hopefully, she said, someone will want to take Pearl home.

"Just because she's a tripod now, doesn't mean she can't go on walks and do all the things other dogs can do," Delgado said.

For more information or to buy tickets, call 425-257-6040.



Debra Smith: 425-339-3197; dsmith@heraldnet.com.