Strut Your Mutt for Pet Cancer
What do you do to raise money for families fighting pet cancer? Why, strut your mutt of course!
I am on the board of The Brodie Fund, a non-profit organization that funds grants to help families pay for pet cancer treatments. Based in Monmouth County, New Jersey we hold numerous fundraising events throughout the year. I wanted to have a dog show in the worst way.
When local restauranteur, Kelly Ryan of The Boondocks Fishery offered her restaurant it was kismet. She lives in Key West part of the year, which proudly sponsors an annual “Key Westminster” dog show. Her restaurant was perfect. On the water in Red Bank New Jersey and dog friendly. What could be better for an event?
A Word About Pet Cancer
“Fifty percent of dogs over the age of 10 develop cancer at some point.” Pet Web MD
More than this, according to the Animal Cancer Foundation,
“Roughly 6 million new cancer diagnoses are made in dogs and a similar number made in cats each year.”
These are scary numbers. But in no way do they reveal the fear, stress, and sadness of having a beloved pet- a member of your family- suffering from cancer. The sad truth is, some pet owners have to make the difficult decision to euthanize their pets or let them suffer, because they do not have the funds to pay for treatment.
We, The Brodie Fund, helps these families whose pets would otherwise live happy and healthy lives, even if they are senior pets.
To date, we have helped 10 pets both cats and dogs in one year since becoming a registered non-profit.
Who says we cannot have fun while raising awareness for pet cancer? Share on XStrut Your Mutt
On September 10, 2017 the dogs descended on the wharf to “Strut Their Mutt” benefitting The Brodie Fund. Live music from Gary Phillips, delicious food, and 37 pups entered the show.
The categories included:
- Goofiest Personality
- Best Behaved
- Least Obedient
- Best Tail Wag
- Terrific Trick
- Most Mysterious Heritage
- Most Adorable
So many pups proudly parading their skills, or lack thereof.
I don’t know who had more fun- me, the families, or the dogs. But it was a wonderful day for all. We could not have done it without Kelly McRyan and the wonderful staff of The Boondocks Fishery or The Brodie Fund volunteers.
100% of our proceeds go to cancer treatments for pets. Thank you to everyone who came and donated or entered the dog show. We look forward to seeing you next year!
0 Comments
Lola The Rescued Cat
What a fun day! This is such an important cause and we’re glad the event was a success.
Ruth Epstein
I think this is an amazing fund raiser and I think there was one the same day in San Francisco. The more we can help the more animals we can save
Sally Williams
Already looking forward to next year! Woof!
Shelby @ For The Love of Paws
What a fantastic event for a great cause!! Way to have fun and raise awareness. 🙂
Sherri
This looks like a great idea. Love the dog show categories. I`d love to go to Key Westminister. Dog cancer is one of my worst fears.
The Contemporary Pet
Please post pics of the winners of each category. I’d love to see the Least Obedient, Best Tail Wag and Most Mysterious Heritage!
Tenacious Little Terrier
What a wonderful event! Most of the fundraiser events here are to raise funds for rescues. I haven’t seen that many that raise money for medical expenses. Great cause.
Pets Naturally (@dogtrainer4ever)
What a fun event! I love it when pet events have a mission about spreading the word about pet cancer. It’s such an epidemic. Thanks for participating.
DashKitten
What an absolutely lovely event and you had gorgeous weather. WooHoo (and anything involving a fish restaurant HAS to be wonderful!!)
Heather Wallace
We could not have had a better day. Even the breeze off the water kept us cool. Since I was the event photographer it was important that I be comfortable running around! And the food was amazing!
Irene McHugh
Beautiful photos showing off this fun and important event during gorgeous weather! Great combo all around. Great mix of pups as well, but I love Sheldon Cooper as a dog name. How much fun would that be to tell him, “Go to your spot Sheldon.” Plus singing Soft Kitty!
Heather Wallace
Thank you! I’ve been working extremely hard on my photography and it was so much fun. Sheldon Cooper was the goofiest cutie. He even has his own Instagram! Go on and say hello for me. 😉
Beth (@dailydogtag)
Looks like everyone had a lot of fun! What a great cause.
Heather Wallace
Such a great cause, and I’m so grateful to have such a big part in helping these animals.
Talent Hounds
What a blast. I love dog shows like that. Looks like great fun while making a difference. I love that as win win. I know so many dogs who have had cancer including my Cookie RIP. Great you are raising funds to help.
Heather Wallace
We are doing all we can to raise awareness and funds for these cancer treatments. So far, in just one year, we’ve helped 10 animals.
Paroma Chakravarty
We have strut your mutt events in San Francisco too, to raise awareness for Canine cancer. Such a great way to raise awareness and funds for treatment of our beloved pets!
Heather Wallace
Isn’t it? Fundraisers should be fun and raise money.
Sweet Purrfections
Such a wonderful event for a great cause. I didn’t realize dogs and cats can get cancer until a few years ago. I guess animals are living longer now, with better care and nutrition, just like humans and cancer is becoming more prevalent.
Heather Wallace
Sadly, the chances of having cancer is exponential if your pet is over the age of 12 nowadays. This is something that must be addressed and awareness raised. Pet insurance goes a long way to help this, but not all families can afford the expenses.
The Daily Pip
The Brodie Fund sounds like a great organization. Is it just for pets in NJ or nationally? I’m tweeting, too.
Heather Wallace
Thank you for sharing! The Brodie Fund is a local non-profit here in NJ. However, we help accredited oncology centers through NJ, PA, NY, and CT. We’d love to expand nationally within the next few years. But to do so we need to raise awareness of the organization and funds. Let me know if you want to help spread the word- we’d love to have you!
Stephanie Seger
I love this so much! What an awesome event for such an important cause. It looks like all of the dogs and people had such a fun time too! I’m pretty sure we would take the awards for least obedient (Junior) and sweetest (Sulley). I would love to get involved with an organization like this! Sharing!
Heather Wallace
Stephanie, we’d love you to be involved and thank you for sharing! Happy to chat privately about spreading awareness. We are also planning a virtual walk-run-ride event over the next few months. Your support would be amazing.
Cathy Armato
What a fabulous event! It’s so wonderful of you to pull together a way to help raise awareness of pet cancer and help families that need assistance paying for treatment. It’s great when you can help people in need and have so much fun at the same time!
Love & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
Heather Wallace
Exactly the idea! Who says fundraisers have to be boring? Love to have you on board to share awareness. If you are interested, would love to chat privately.
Sadie
I might have to make the trip to NJ next fall! Such an amazing organization, and effort – well done, you!!! I especially love that your support is extended to senior pets as well. Why shouldn’t they also have the chance to enjoy many more years with their families?!
Heather Wallace
We completely agree. It’s about having more time with their families. Quality of life vs. length of life. Would love to have you join in! Or perhaps even organize one near you to benefit The Brodie Fund. It’s so much fun.
spencerthegoldendoodle
These facts/statistics are astounding. Looks like you guys had a wonderful day and look at all those amazing pups!!! 🙂
Heather Wallace
It’s definitely something to think about. We had the best time and cannot wait for next year!
Robin
This is such a cute idea! It would be fun to have a contest like that around here. My first pet, a dog, died from cancer of the uterus. She was 13 when she passed away. Last year, my kitty, Cinco, passed away from Lymphoma. Cancer is a really devastating diagnosis. I hope that a cure will be found one day!
Heather Wallace
We can only hope. I used to work with surgical oncologists and published their research. I know they are working hard to solve this problem. It’s just as hard when it affects a pet, since they are family. No family should have to decide between euthanasia and treatment because of the associated cost.