MARYSVILLE — For one day, a big part of the Strawberry Fields Athletic Complex is going to the dogs — and people who love them.
Saturday’s Scrub-A-Mutt event will feature a dog wash fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the athletic complex, 6100 152nd St. NE.
A small dog can get washed for $5. Bigger dogs cost $10. Nail trims for all dogs are $5. At the end of the event, the money raised will be divided between Marysville Dog Owners Group or M-DOG, Old Dog Haven, in Lake Stevens, and N.O.A.H., in Stanwood.
“Everything we make from the event goes to charities,” said Jennifer Ward, codirector of Scrub-A-Mutt, a nonprofit group hosting the event.
This year’s Scrub-A-Mutt will also incorporate activities from Poochapalooza, another event for dog owners that will not be held this year. Vendor booths and Best in Show dog contest will take place at the Strawberry Fields for Rover off-leash dog park, located next to the athletic fields.
A Best in Show contest is scheduled from noon to 2:30 p.m. M-DOG will host the dog contests. Prizes and ribbons will be awarded in 12 events. There is a $5 donation per dog to enter one or all of the contests.
Raffle tickets will be sold for $1 each and dog food donations will be collected for Old Dog Haven and for animals owned by people who use the Marysville Food Bank. A police K9 demonstration is planned for 3 p.m.
The dog park will be closed until 4 p.m. Holding the event on the fields and at the dog park will help “showcase the dog park and inform people that M-DOG has an agreement to take care of the (dog) park,” Ward said.
Scrub-A-Mutt started after Ward and her friend, Elizabeth Woche, discussed an Oprah episode about puppy mills. The two wanted to help support dog charities and decided to host an annual dog washing event.
“It started out small but we’re so impressed with how it’s going,” Ward said. “We’ll have an anniversary pet food drive in October for the Marysville Food Bank and we’re planning some Yappy Hour wine-tasting in the spring. We’re getting our name out and growing.”
The first Scrub-A-Mutt event in 2008 raised $1,000 and included 25 dogs. At least 75 dogs were part of the 2009 event, which raised $2,500. Ward expects at least 100 dogs will be at this year’s Scrub-A-Mutt.
Lake Stevens Animal Hospital staff and other dog professionals will help wash dogs and trim nails, Ward added. The first 150 dogs washed will receive bags filled with toys and treats.
“If we go through 150 bags I will be so excited,” she said.
Amy Daybert: 425-339-3491; adaybert@heraldnet.com.
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