The Animal Welfare League hosted its ninth annual Fur Ball to raise funds for its new location and to benefit the many animals that circulate through the shelter each year. The evening was filled with a jazz band, food catered by Cerulean, a silent auction, a dog show, a K-9 demonstration and a live auction at Toyota of Warsaw. AWL Director Darla McCammon said this year was a “pretty good turnout.” “We are trying to make this a community that has a wonderful animal shelter. We already do,” she said. “We want to make it better with this new building.” AWL Supervisor Carl Abbott said the Fur Ball is a fun and easy way for people to benefit the animals. He said it continues to become bigger and better each year and said this event allows the AWL to raise more money which allows them to adopt more animals. “We help animals help people,” he said. The event included multiple vendors including Paws & Claws, Community Animal Hospital LLC, Special OPS K-9 Academy, The Underground Hound and Tractor Supply Company. Manager of Paws & Claws Debbie Swihart was happy to participate in the Fur Ball for the first time Saturday night. She and manager Diana Bowser brought samples of food, candles and other items and answered questions from guests throughout the evening. Bowser said they have a holistic and natural selections for animals to “help make your pets live longer.” Swihart said she enjoys working in this industry and that it takes a passionate person to work with animals. “It’s awesome, I don’t feel like you can do enough for animals,” Swihart said. “If you’re not passionate, you shouldn’t be here.” After dining and bidding in the silent auction, guests listened to a message from McCammon and then watched a demonstration from Brian Gagye of Special OPS K-9 Academy, North Webster. Last year, Gagye brought a fully trained Doberman and he knew he had to outdo himself at this year’s presentation. He and his wife, Stephanie, decided to bring two dogs who are in the beginning of the program to demonstrate how to problem solve. “When juggling two dogs, they have a mind of their own,” Gagye said beginning his demonstration. He brought Princess, a 10-month-old puppy, and Zoe, a two-year-old dog. Each dog took the stage in front of a crowd they weren’t familiar with. Gagye said the reason some dogs end up in an animal shelter is because their owners cannot train them and they think the obvious reason is to get rid of the dog. When Princess retrieved some props including a cell phone, wallet and keys, she was applauded but quickly distracted because she is still just a puppy. Gagye brought Zoe out to demonstrate how they have trained her to detect narcotics, and she found the package each time. Gagye said a dog’s nose can detect one microscopic particle out of one billion particles, which is why dogs are very useful in detection and tracking. He said in just four hours, Zoe has been trained to detect methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, ecstasy and marijuana. “These are awesome, awesome creatures,” he said. “Saving a dog’s life is what it boils down to.” Stephanie Gagye said the Fur Ball is an event they participate in every year because they are so passionate about dogs. She said animal shelters are the first places they look. She said with their training program, they do everything from service or agility to working with dogs in law enforcement. “We turn homeless pets into heroes,” she said. “This event is something we get very excited for.” Throughout the event, guests were able to vote for the “Dog of the Year.” One of the participants was 12-year-old Chu, a mixed breed, owned by Scott and Jan Campbell. The couple decided to look for a pet when their 10-year-old son continued to ask for a dog for years. Scott Campbell said the AWL was the first place they wanted to look, because he knows the center appreciates animals. When they opened his cage, he lunged out of the cage into his arms choosing them as his new family. Chu was born at the AWL in a litter of seven puppies and the last one chosen. “I think we got the best one out of the group,” he said. “He still plays around like a puppy.” Jan Campbell said they take Chu to their business, Stephen Baby, Pierceton, and even when he growls, he’s always wagging his tail, and knows everyone’s lunch hour. Jan said she was happy to attend this event with Chu for the first time this year, and she’s happy a new shelter is being built. “I think it’s an essential part of any community,” she said. The winner of the dog show was a St. Bernard, Moose, owned by Bill and Janet Hartman. Chu placed second, followed by Carys, owned by Don and Rowena Impey, and then Aires, owned by Martha Whetstone and Courtney Bornteger. AWL Volunteer Coordinator Martha Whetstone said when she retired she needed to get out of the house and loved animals, so volunteering at the AWL was an obvious choice. She walks dogs, helps socialize cats and helps with laundry, gardening and many other things. She also helps with pet therapy in nursing homes. This was her first time experiencing the Fur Ball and said she was having fun. She said the AWL can always use more volunteers. “It’s just a great place and I think once we get to the new shelter it will be really nice,” she said. “We’re looking forward to it.” McCammon said she has been dreaming of the new shelter and put many ideas together for a long time. She said it costs $370,000 to operate the AWL yearly and more than 3,000 animals come through the shelter each year. The new building is expected to be 9,600 square feet and will be utilized in different ways with overhead storage, a night drop section, a surrender entry to keep healthy and ill animals separate and many more. She also has included an indoor walking track to be able to walk animals all year long, and added a literacy group for children to read to animals to avoid feeling threatened. She said she has a lot of time to make these plans, and things could still change. The AWL is still in need of funds, and people can help with donations and volunteering. “It means so much to us,” she said. “All of the little things add up.”
