According to PetRadar.com, every year, about 1.6 million dogs and 1.6 million cats are adopted into forever homes. That’s the good news. The bad news is that nearly 8 million dogs and cats are abandoned each year, which leaves 5 million pets to die from neglect or to await euthanasia in overcrowded animal shelters. Fortunately, here in the Triad, there is an organization dedicated to improving those odds for our four-legged friends.
The Animal and Adoption Rescue Foundation of Winston-Salem, commonly known as AARF, was founded in 1995 by a small group of people wanting to improve the lives of homeless cats and dogs while strengthening the human-animal bond. AARF is a no-kill, nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that facilitates foster care, adoption, medical services, spaying and neutering, community outreach, and education.
“Whenever we encounter a lost, abandoned, neglected, or abused cat or dog, we feel it is our civic and humane duty to rescue and save that animal,” says Carly Cockerham, executive director of AARF.
AARF is headquartered in a 6,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility in Winston-Salem and relies on donations to sustain its mission. Toward that end, the organization hosts fundraising events such as the annual Party 4 Paws Gala, now in its 10th year. This year’s gala takes place on Friday, April 11, at the Millennium Center downtown.
“This event reflects the powerful community support that makes our life-saving work possible year after year,” said Cockerham.
The gala will include live and silent auctions, where partygoers can bid on such items as a seven-night stay at a luxurious oceanfront beach house. There will also be fine jewelry to bid on and plenty of sports memorabilia up for grabs. And, as always, there’ll be a dog fashion show.
The evening kicks off with a VIP reception at 6 p.m., one hour ahead of the main celebration. Tickets are on sale now, and seating is limited. For tickets, visit www.onecau.se/p4p2026.
For more information about AARF, its mission, and services, visit www.AARFws.org.
Party 4 Paws Gala to Support AARF Mission
According to PetRadar.com, every year, about 1.6 million dogs and 1.6 million cats are adopted into forever homes. That’s the good news. The bad news is that nearly 8 million dogs and cats are abandoned each year, which leaves 5 million pets to die from neglect or to await euthanasia in overcrowded animal shelters. Fortunately, here in the Triad, there is an organization dedicated to improving those odds for our four-legged friends.
The Animal and Adoption Rescue Foundation of Winston-Salem, commonly known as AARF, was founded in 1995 by a small group of people wanting to improve the lives of homeless cats and dogs while strengthening the human-animal bond. AARF is a no-kill, nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that facilitates foster care, adoption, medical services, spaying and neutering, community outreach, and education.
“Whenever we encounter a lost, abandoned, neglected, or abused cat or dog, we feel it is our civic and humane duty to rescue and save that animal,” says Carly Cockerham, executive director of AARF.
AARF is headquartered in a 6,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility in Winston-Salem and relies on donations to sustain its mission. Toward that end, the organization hosts fundraising events such as the annual Party 4 Paws Gala, now in its 10th year. This year’s gala takes place on Friday, April 11, at the Millennium Center downtown.
“This event reflects the powerful community support that makes our life-saving work possible year after year,” said Cockerham.
The gala will include live and silent auctions, where partygoers can bid on such items as a seven-night stay at a luxurious oceanfront beach house. There will also be fine jewelry to bid on and plenty of sports memorabilia up for grabs. And, as always, there’ll be a dog fashion show.
The evening kicks off with a VIP reception at 6 p.m., one hour ahead of the main celebration. Tickets are on sale now, and seating is limited. For tickets, visit www.onecau.se/p4p2026.
For more information about AARF, its mission, and services, visit www.AARFws.org.