A non-profit community service project helping Bronx pets recently hosted its very first Christmas fundraiser.
On Saturday, December 19, Bronx Foxy Pets hosted Santa Paws Christmas party for dogs and owners from the Bronx to fund the organization.
For a $10 donation, the pooches in attendance, many of which were dressed in Christmas outfits, had their picture taken with Santa Claus and received goodie bags filled with doggie cookies and a toy.
The event, which was held at the Icehouse Cafe, drew over 50 dogs and dog owners.
Icehouse Cafe owner Terry Dambrowski provided chicken wings along with other appetizers as well as mimosas for the owners as part of her contribution towards the event.
The Christmas party also included an appearance by organization chairwomen Bailey Provetto’s dog Bebe, a Morkie (Yorkshire terrier and Maltese mix) who performed tricks for an audience.
According to Provetto, Bebe is currently training to be a therapy dog at Jacobi Hospital to work with patients and knows over 40 stunts.
The main purpose of the event, aside from spreading holiday cheer, was to acquire charity donations to set up a veterinarian care and an emergency fund for Bronx pets in need, as well as lost pets.
“This event was a great way to celebrate the holidays while raising funds for a great cause,” said Provetto. “What happens when these animals are sick and need care?
“Now, because everybody in attendance donated $10 or more to the event and our organization, we are one step closer to providing pets with the ability to receive help when they need it. It was great to see so many dog owners support us,” Bailey said
“It was a totally fun day – every dog and dog owner had a ball,” said Chrys Napolitano, who brought her two dogs, Mini (a Poodle mix) and Cooper (a Chihuahua mix) to the event, both of whom she adopted from New Beginning Animal Shelter. “What especially made it a great time was that every dog could roam freely in the room in their Christmas outfits.”
The event also celebrated the rescue of Zucchini, a terrier who had been lost, but was found near the Throggs Neck Shopping Center and returned to his family last month.
During the search, Bronx Foxy Pets posted alerts on Facebook and throughout the area.
