If you have some time this weekend, come down to the Lawrence County Animal Abuse and Adoption Center for our first-ever Adoptathon.

Friday, May 05, 2000

If you have some time this weekend, come down to the Lawrence County Animal Abuse and Adoption Center for our first-ever Adoptathon.

This special event, which begins at noon Saturday and Sunday and lasts until about 8 p.m. each day, is our local version of a national program sponsored by Petsmart to help encourage adoptions at shelters across the country.

That means, while you are visiting our shelter here, thousands of other Americans are doing the same at their local shelters.

We have plenty of dogs, cats, puppies and kittens available for adoption this weekend and every day.

There are big dogs, little dogs, puppies and kittens – a new pet for every sort of family.

There will be no high pressure sales pitch, either. Come down to the shelter and take a look at the dogs and cats we have to offer. If you want to see one, fine. If you want to take one home, even better, but we will be glad to have you even if all you want to do is share a little love and a few pats on the head.

And, although our primary purpose is to adopt animals this weekend, there also will be plenty of opportunities to support the shelter and the animals.

We will be raffling off a special edition Mother’s Day Longaberger basket and two seats on each of two bus trips – one to the July 24 Cincinnati Reds/Houston Astros game (blue seats) and another to Caesar’s Riverboat Gambling Casino in Louisville July 22, which includes a meal.

The trips were donated by American Dream Travel, while the basket was donated by Longaberger basket representative Carla Pancake.

These are just two of the many generous donations that the Humane Society has received to help make the Adoptathon a success.

In addition to those prizes, the Humane Society also will give away door prizes – squeaky dog toys and two $20 gift certificates donated by the Huntington Mall Petland, a karaoke tape donated by Navada Hart Productions as well as some family dinners provided by Shooters Restaurant in Ironton.

And these are just a few of the goodies that you can enjoy if you visit this weekend’s Adoptathon.

There will be free helium balloons for the children, courtesy of Wayne National Forest, as well as a chance to meet Briggsy, the Briggs Lawrence County Public Library mascot. While talking to Briggsy, the children will be able to sign up for a free drawing to win two special book baskets (each with a cuddly friend) donated by The Ironton Tribune.

And, on Sunday night, for $5, weather permitting, you can also get a bird’s eye view of Ironton. Ironton Mayor Bob Cleary has generously donated tethered rides in his hot air balloon.

BC Tool Rental has also donated equipment and supplies for the weekend event, as has Navada Hart Productions.

And, finally, if you are hungry, there will be plenty to eat, too. Hotdogs, pizza and pop will be available for anyone who needs a snack or lunch.

The pizza was donated by Giovanni’s and the pop by Pepsi Bottling Co.

There are many people to thank for making this weekend’s events possible and for all the wonderful businesses and individuals who have donated their goods and services.

There are even a few friends of the Humane Society who are planning to give a little more than their time.

Lawrence County Commission candidates Jason Stephens and Les Boggs will spend a couple hours in the doghouse to solicit donations for the Humane Society. Other officeholders and candidates also might attend, so if you get a call, please help them raise bail.

And, last but not least, city dog warden Bob Hesse will be on the dunk tank Sunday. Come throw a baseball at the target on behalf of dogs everywhere.

Even if you are not interested in adopting a pet, come on down to the shelter. Our dogs and cats will put a smile on your face, and you can get some pretty neat stuff, too.

All your kind letters and donations have helped turn a lot of sad stories into happy ones over the last year. We appreciate your past support and hope that you can join us this weekend to start working on another year of helping animals.

See you this weekend and thank you in advance for your support.

Renee Carey is the managing editor of The Ironton Tribune.