The Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-12-02, Page 25Page 24 - Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Local dance studio offers lessons for donations to SPCA
--_-. _VEaretirn_ParlikdRilinitZ
special to the signal -star
On any given day, there are generally
50 forgotten dogs, cats and other crit-
ters under the care of the Huron County
Society for the Protection of Cruelty to
limited
Quantities
Buy any "MACHINE" over
$300. and
Add a SERGER for only
$299. seas.
See store for details.
OPEN Starting Dec.11/09
Tues. To Fri. 9-8;
LATE Mon. & Sat. 9-5:30
149 Downie Street, Stratford
519-271-9660
Animals, either in its shelter or in foster
homes.
Currently there are 60, including a
pair of rabbits, a beautiful flame point
Siamese cat (one of 57 resident kitties),
along with a smart and gentle dog named
"Parker".
Rick Petherick, owner and Dance Di-
rector at the Casablanca Ballroom &
Dance Studio intends to do something to
help the good work of the SPCA—espe-
cially in light of his latest acquisition:
a sweet and petite Jack Russell terrier
named Rosey.
Rosey was potentially headed for in-
stitutional care when Petherick was able
to welcome her into his home and his
life.
"I'm such a softy," he says, "when it
comes to dogs. We lost a special dog to
old age in 2008, and it seemed the right
time to adopt Rosey. She's a sweet-
heart."
And "adopt" is the right word. Ani-
mal lovers everywhere contend that we
do not "own" pets. We share our space
with them. They are part of our family.
On December 19, Petherick's Casa-
blanca Ballroom will host a Christmas
Dance to benefit the SPCA.
"We wanted to keep the evening rela-
tively simple, "says Petherick, "and at
the same time, do some good with it. A
$10 cover and a gift for the furry and
feathered homeless at the SPCA is all it
takes to celebrate the season with us."
"People who can't make the dance but
would like to contribute can leave a gift
for the SPCA under our tree at the stu-
dio, 33 West Street," he adds.
"Also all Casablanca dance classes
will be open to the public at no charge
from December 7 to 1 1," says Petherick.
"People can try a few dance steps and
drop off a gift. It's a win-win."
Deb Baxter of Goderich's SPCA ad-
vises that their shelter especially needs
dustless recycled newsprint kitty litter
and dangling toys that allow fun inter-
action between kitty and a prospective
adoptive family.
While Science Diet generously do-
nates regular pet food to the Goderich
SPCA, the shelter also requires devel-
opment formula canned foods available
from vet clinics for animals with special
dietary needs.
Baxter reports that while there is no
limit on how long animals may be in
care, the Goderich shelter does have a
limit on space.
"Thanks to our fostering program,"
says Baxter, "we're able to support a
large number of animals"
Caring foster parents are always re-
quired, especially for animals that need
it most. Whether pro\ 'ding a comfort-
able and isolated place for pregnant
animals, feeding orphaned kittens ev-
ery four hours, or offering a safe and
quiet home for animals recovering from
abuse, injury or illness over a period of
one week to two months.
"Food and veterinary care are all pro-
vided by us, "says Baxter. "And respite
relief is possible if a fosterer has to be
away or needs a break from care."
With regard to pets as Christmas pres-
ents, the SPCA recommends a gift cer-
tificate, rather than an actual pet.
"The holidays are not the optimum
time to introduce an animal to a new
setting," says Baxter. "There's always
much going on, lots of people visiting,
and often poisonous plants and things are
accessible to pets at that time of year."
Pets enrich lives, fill voids, warm our
hearts, and give us a reason to get up in
the morning. They need our care and in
return, they give us unconditional devo-
tion. Homeless ones are no different.
So pick your present:
-Take an SPCA gift, enjoy a no -charge
lesson, and meet Rick and his sensa-
tional new instructor, Courtney Nelson,
from December 7 to 11 at the Casablan-
ca Ballroom
-Dance and donate at Casablanca Ball-
room on December 19, 8:00 p.m.
-Stop by the SPCA on East Street to
check out their special residents
-Buy an SPCA gift certificate for
someone who would love a pet
-Apply to be an SPCA foster parent to
a special animal
For more information, go to www.
huroncounty.ospca.on.ca or www.casa-
blancaballroom.ca, and remember...
'Tis the season
"1 think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional
eve. ;;;dor me they are the role modelor being alive.
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