She’ll chain herself to a tree to raise funds
A Phoenix area animal advocate plans to tie herself to a tree Saturday in hopes of raising money to provide her shelter with air conditioned dog houses.
Erica Wellman, a caregiver with Friends for Life Animal Rescue in Gilbert, hopes the demonstration will bring awareness to the plight of dogs left tied up outside in Arizona’s heat.
Temperatures this week in Arizona are expected to reach 116, according to the Arizona Republic.
The non-profit, all-volunteer, no-kill shelter currently holds 21 dogs, but it is forced to rescue fewer in the summer because of space limitations. With air-conditioned dog houses, it would be able to keep dogs outside, and have room for more.
The group recently purchased three air-conditioned doghouses from a company in Alabama at a cost of $5,800.
The non-profit group hopes the “Erica Unchained” fundraiser, starting at 8 a.m., will raise at least a $1,000.
“I can feel what it is to be a dog for a day and see how hard it is for them to handle it,” Wellman said.
Wellman will be tied to a tree with a short leash attached to her waist. A thermostat board will keep track of donations as they come in. Wellman will allow herself to take a water and potty break with every $200 donated.
“I’m hoping to get the money fast so I can come inside,” she said.
Posted by jwoestendiek August 23rd, 2011 under Muttsblog.
Tags: air conditioned, animal rescue, animals, arizona, chaining, demonstration, dog houses, dogs, erica wellman, friends for life, heat, leash, outside, pets, rescue, shelter, tied, tree
Comment from TOS
Time August 24, 2011 at 12:01 am
Poor pups, it’s not their fault people decided to live in a desert. (I hate hot weather, myself.) I think AC for the dog shelter is a good cause, so I looked up the address to send them something. If anyone is interested: Friends for Life Animal Rescue, 143 W. Vaughn Ave, Gilbert AZ 85233