Shelter dogs to have their day at Best in Show

More than 50 dogs are about to get a second chance at receiving a forever home.

The Animal Foundation’s 11th annual Best in Show event is planned for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 27 at The Orleans, 4500 W. Tropicana Ave.

The event is set to include a VIP brunch and silent auction, a vendor fair and a dog show, according to the foundation’s spokeswoman, Meghan Scheibe.

“We have more than 50 dogs that will be up for adoption after the event,” Scheibe said. “The event is our big annual fundraiser for the foundation.”

The dogs are divided into five categories: small, medium, large, puppies and variety. Volunteers will walk the dogs around the arena in a “mock dog show,” Scheibe said.

“It’s up to the audience to applaud for the best dog,” Scheibe said. “It’s usually the one that falls asleep on the floor or has an accident. It’s nothing official. It’s just something fun everyone can enjoy.”

Each dog is spayed or neutered, vaccinated and medically and behaviorally evaluated before being considered for participation, according to Scheibe. They are placed into foster homes for a month before the show to get them accustomed to living with families.

“Every animal that comes into the shelter receives a medical and behavior evaluation,” Scheibe said. “The dogs in the show get additional behavior evaluations to make sure they can handle the stress of being in a new environment.”

Sandra McGowan has volunteered and fostered dogs for the Animal Foundation for about 12 years. For the event, she has looked after Simon, a 4-month-old Samoyed mix puppy, for about six weeks.

“There won’t be any problems finding him a family,” McGowan said. “They just don’t know what they’re getting into. He’s a goof. Everything is just fun and games with him.”

McGowan said she got into fostering from friends and help postings.

“I’m a big animal advocate, and I’ve always felt bad for those sitting in the shelter,” she said. “I do my little bit where I can.”

Those interested in adopting a dog at the show can enter their names into a drawing. If selected, individuals must pass the foundation’s adoption criteria before paying the $250 fee.

“We’re changing the adoption process this year into a random drawing,” Scheibe said. “The fee collected covers the care they’ve received and fostering costs.”

The proceeds are set to benefit the Animal Foundation, which takes in about 40,000 animals each year, according to Scheibe. Last year, the event raised about $230,000 for the foundation.

“Once the legal hold is up, it takes about $100 a week to care for each animal at the shelter,” Scheibe said. “These 50 dogs are going to find good homes, but the money raised will help the other animals find homes when the time comes.”

Adoption fees are typically $80 to $100 for cats and $105 to $250 for dogs, depending on the breed.

The shelter occasionally has fish, snakes, birds, rabbits and farm animals up for adoption, Scheibe said.

“We have to accept any animals that come through our doors,” she said. “Although dogs and cats make up the majority, we get a lot of others. You name it, we get it.”

Tickets for the event cost $12 for adults and $5 for children and seniors. VIP sponsorship tables, which include brunch and a silent auction, start at $1,200.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit tinyurl.com/kzc4lzv.

Contact Southwest View reporter Caitlyn Belcher at cbelcher@viewnews.com or 702-383-0403.