After five years of success at Starlight Ranch, Muttfest is moving to a new place that hopefully will eliminate the weather issues Amarillo SPCA has faced.
“We have had rain, terrible winds, cold, heat and other radical weather, but we’ve always been able to get through it,” said Mary Ramirez, co-chair for the yearly fundraiser for the non-profit, no kill shelter.
“This year we changed (locations) because of the massive commitment of Bobby Lee to the Route 66 Centennial event and also changes being made at Starlight Ranch. We certainly thank him for hosting us these past years and hate to leave,” Ramirez said.
The group made the decision to move to the Rex Baxter arena at the Tri-State Fairgrounds to make it more accommodating. The date for Muttfest will be May 17, from noon until 5 p.m. There is plenty of room, electricity and grass out in the front of the building.
The city parks have increased their fees, and it was unfeasible for the group to rent a space there for the event.
This year’s theme for Muttfest is “Wagginest Tail in the West,” according to the co-chair. “We felt that the western theme was appropriate for our heritage and large number of ranchers and cowboys in this area,” she said.
There will be dog contests, such as Look-a-Like for Dog/Owner; Best Talent; best Costume along with music from The Eagle 100.9 radio station and other fun things going.
This year, vendors will be able to make a demonstration of their products if they choose, and 4-H kids from Canyon ISD will be doing an agility event outside the arena. Vendors will be plentiful, and Rex Baxter will have a concession stand to serve sandwiches and soft drinks along with various snacks.
Lone Star Vet Clinic will be giving low-cost vaccinations to dogs, and Amarillo Animal Welfare & Management is doing free microchipping. Along with music from their partner, 100.9, The Eagle, there will be an awesome silent auction and their popular, collectible tee shirts will be for sale, according to Ramirez.
Plans are still evolving for the big show, and those interested are encouraged to watch the website, amarillospcashelter.com for updates and more information.
Ramirez said pickups and cars will be able to drive into the Rex Baxter Building to set up their booths and not worry about mud or navigation. Booths will be $50 each, and sponsorships run $200. Anyone interested in having a booth or sponsoring the event — now in its 32nd year — can contact Mary Ramirez at 806-290-2883 or go to the website at amarillospcashelter.com.
Those who would like to join their fun and frolic can pay through PayPal or CashApp by clicking donate on the website. If you prefer, you can send a check to Amarillo SPCA at 11901 S. Coulter, Amarillo, TX 79119.
“Donations have dropped for nonprofits, and we are trying to get more sponsors to help us monthly and also planning to get some grants,” Ramirez said. “It is a month-by-month effort for us to stay open, with costs topping $25,000 a month and repairs needed on an aging building.”
Please do not donate to anyone claiming to be Amarillo SPCA but saying they only accept one payment and will not let anyone come to the shelter.
This shelter is one of the longest in existence in Amarillo, and it is not affiliated with the national ASPCA, which advertises and sometimes asks for money at various locations. The money donated to them does not come to Amarillo but to New York, where it is distributed.
All donations go toward the Amarillo shelter, upkeep, medical care, adoptions, spay-neuter programs, and as always, they need volunteers to help care for the pets by cleaning cages, feeding and playing with them.
Currently, they house around 70 dogs and 50 cats, and they are open Tuesday through Saturday, from noon until 5 p.m.
Muttfest is free and open to the public.
“As always, we will not charge admission,” Ramirez said, “but we do hope people will donate for our shelter, which has been having difficulty staying open, due to increased costs on utilities, insurance, medicine and other necessary things to keep a shelter open.”
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo SPCA moving Muttfest to Rex Baxter Building
Reporting by Nell Williams, Amarillo Globe-News / Amarillo Globe-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
