A Plum pet grooming business recently raised nearly $400 for the Monroeville Animal Shelter.
The Barker Shop along Saltsburg Road hosted a dog washing event March 21.
Monroeville animal control officer and shelter coordinator Corye Ramsey and his family assisted volunteer Lisa Wisiloaky with bringing the 21 dogs in and out of the shop while owner Kellee Leisure and daughter Hailey Klingensmith, both of Vandergrift, and volunteer Kim Tamburri of Plum tended to the animals.
“We were very happy with the turnout,” Tamburri said. “I don’t know if we could have done any more beyond that. We were beat.”
The dogs were professionally washed and dried.
A couple of German shepherds dropped off at the end of the day left a bit wet. Tamburri said they had never been to a groomer before and were a little spooked by the dryers.
“We pride ourselves on working with new and difficult dogs,” she said. “We’re a completely cage-free environment. A lot of places out there put dogs in a crate and attach a blow dryer. (Dogs are) scared and can’t go anywhere because (they’re) in a crate.”
All donations for the washing services went to the shelter. Money from nail trimming and teeth brushing went to the business to offset supply costs. Overall, $510 was raised with $375 going to the shelter.
Participants also left with treat bags for their pets.
Ramsey said he was impressed with how the event played out.
“I give groomers a lot more respect now,” he said. “That was the first time I ever did anything like that. These ladies go hands-on (with dogs) in their face. It impressed me. I’m a little star struck right now.”
There were outdoor dog washing fundraisers at Dad’s Pub & Grub in Monroeville in previous years, but this was the first time a grooming business stepped up, according to Ramsey.
Tamburri said a customer recommended they host an event for the shelter. Similar events at the Barker Shop were for the Costa Maya Beach Dog Rescue, a nonprofit that rescues and rehabilitates stray dogs in Mexico.
Money raised for the Monroeville shelter will go toward animal medical expenses. Ramsey said the shelter routinely takes stray animals to veterinarians within 10 days of picking them up to check their health and to give them rabies shots.
There were about six dogs and two cats at the shelter as of March 24 with most up for adoption.
More information about the shelter can be found on its Facebook page or by calling 412-856-3355.
More information about the Barker Shop can be found on its Facebook page or by calling 412-704-5184.
