Animal rescue fundraiser a big success

When she arrived at the Corning Animal Shelter two years ago, Truly was literally starving to death, her skin riddled with sores and her hair falling out.

On Saturday, Truly the pit bull arrived at Music for Mutts a happy healthy dog pulling along her owner, Sylvia Clark of Corning.

"Truly is truly one of our best success stories," said Debbie Eaglebarger, caretaker of Corning's animal shelter, and president of Second Chance Pet Rescue, which held the fundraiser at Corning's Northside Park.

Three-legged Weaver was another of the shelter's adopted rescue dogs that attended Music for Mutts with his owner.

Weaver was brought into the shelter with one of his back legs mangled after being hit by a car. His leg needed to be amputated and due to the financial donations of people in the community and Second Chance Pet Rescue, the surgery was performed and Weaver's life saved.

Six dogs adopted from the shelter attended the event with their owners.

"It is wonderful to see these dogs that were once in such poor condition and abused, now in forever homes were they are taken care of and loved," Eaglebarger said.

Music for Mutts was well attended not only by dogs and their owners, but a number of people who support both the animal shelter and Second Chance Pet Rescue through volunteer work and donations of both money and supplies.

The event featured music performed by the Blackketter Brothers Band and Mac & the Boogie Boys. Both groups volunteered both their time and performances to help raise funds for the shelter's animals.

Also featured was the shelter's Pit Bull AKC Canine Good Citizen testing and obedience training, and the puppy socialization classes.

An definite eye-catcher was the Wall of Shame display created by students from Hamilton High School.

"The Wall of Shame displays all of the wire, rope and chains that have been on dogs brought into the shelter," Eaglebarger explained. "When Hamilton High School students came for a tour of the shelter they were so disgusted and shock by the things people use to chain up dogs they made the display and donated to the shelter."

She said the display has been very useful in educating the public about animal care and treatment.

Throughout the day raffle prizes were giving away, including a custom handcrafted screen door and DVD.

The event raised $3,867, some of which was used to fund the event.

"The rest of the proceeds will be used to purchase kennels to replace the ones that are falling apart at the shelter," Eaglebarger said. "We have already purchased two new kennels and will be able to purchase at least two more."

She said the shelter is currently housing 31 dogs, most of which are up for adoption.