With less than a week left, everyone’s votes are needed to help expedite the process of Warsaw getting a dog park.
The “Bark For Your Park” contest, sponsored by PetSafe, has gone dark. That means that the leaderboard is no longer available for people to see.
Before that, however, Warsaw was in sixth place.
Warsaw is behind the eightball in terms of population. Warsaw is smaller than every other finalist in the competition beside Derby, Vt.
That’s why it’s important for people to mobilize online and get friends, families and co-workers to vote, whether they’re from Warsaw or not, according to Dr. Carla Carlton, veterinarian.
Carlton purchased Lake City Animal Clinic in 2007 when she moved to the area from Indianapolis.
Since living in Warsaw, Carlton’s mission has been to open a dog park.
She started the not-for-profit organization for Rudy’s Dog Park.
She’s purchased land at CRs 100E and 300N near Warsaw for the park to be built.
The scope of the project is large with plenty of land for dogs to roam and play.
Carlton is determined to make the park a reality.
But winning the “Bark For Your Park” contest would eliminate the need for fundraising and could move the project up from being a year or two away to it being fast tracked.
The winner of the contest wins $100,000 toward a dog park.
Carlton said she has gotten friends and family from all over the country to vote for Warsaw and encouraged everyone in the area to do the same.
Each person has two ways of voting every day. They can do so through the website barkforyourpark.com, or by visiting PetSafe’s Facebook page.
Carlton said everyone can vote twice a day.
Voting ends Aug. 3, and the winner is announced Aug. 5.
“This community really needs a dog park,” said Carlton.
Carlton has already worked to raise funds, and said she was impressed by some large donations from several people. Carlton said she has also received a lot of help in terms of volunteering.
People have donated their time and talents to advance the cause.
From computer help to volunteering, people are encouraged to help out in anyway they can.
Those interested can either call Lake City Animal Clinic at 574-267-8511, or visit the clinic at 819 E. Winona Ave., Warsaw.
