By Stephen Smoot
One could not have designed a better day for a party, much less one of the Hardy County Humane Society’s biggest fundraisers.
Brilliant blue skies with barely a whiff of a cloud, bright sunshine bringing summer-type temperatures moderated by springlike breezes. Puddles from the recent rain showers had long since disappeared.
Walking into Brighton Park, the sounds of classic hits from the Eagles and others came from the live band entertaining a crowd in the pavilion. The walkway in featured dozens of beautifully maintained classic cars shining in the sun.
Every so often came the playful bark of a dog happy to be invited to the party.
With the smells of barbequing meat and kettle corn, the delight of children and pets, and the relaxation enjoyed by adults, the event’s serious purpose lies in how it works to better the community.
Said Hardy County Humane Society volunteer Rosie Mongold, money raised supports the program to address the growth of feral cat colonies, “to get them spayed and neutered so they stop overpopulating.”
As Steve Pendleton has explained in different Humane Society events feral cat colonies, both tended and untended, can birth thousands of new cats per year. Limited food and competition for mates leads to increased rates of starvation, suffering untreated injuries, and untimely deaths of these cats.
“We’re mostly spaying cats and cat colonies so they will stop overpopulating,” Mongold explained.
“It’s our first year coming and it’s amazing,” Mongold said of the vendors, music, food, and crowd.
Another attraction was the silent auction. Up for bids were items including a hand-knit blanket, paintings of a cat and a landscape, and “hand-knitted kitties.” Several food truck vendors got hungry and thirsty attendees satisfied. Numerous vendors sold crafts, food products, and other wares.
Emily Mowery manned a table for an event new to Woofstock, a classic car show. She noted that only 17 had signed up to display their beauties during preregistration, but by mid afternoon, 44 cars were on display. Mowery explained that winners were chosen “by public monetary vote.” People could vote for their favorite car by putting donations into the jar representing the car.
“The three jars with the most money in them will get first, second, and third,” she said. Mowery added that the car show likely helped to bring in more attendees to the annual event.
Mongold shared another reason for the importance of Woofstock and similar Humane Society public events.
“We’re here because of our love of animals. We represent the cat people. We love our cats so much, we just want to see them taken care of,” she added.
Mongold also noted that “this teaches the love of animals and how we should be taking care of them.”
