4 Love of Dog Gala

By Chloe Sullivan
Contributing Writer

It’ s all gone to the dogs, well sort of. A night of hor d’ oeuvres, live music, a chocolate fountain and a silent auction doesn’ t really sound like a dog-friendly environment, but the people at the 4 Luv of Dog Rescue are hoping to change that.

This Saturday, Oct. 23rd, marks the 2nd Annual Silent Auction and Gala, which is taking place at the Hilton Garden Inn in Fargo from 7 to 11 pm. Admission to the event is a free-will donation and alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase to those who are 21 or older.

After the success of the first year’ s auction, the Rescue decided to hold the event for a second time, and the event has become the Rescue’s biggest fundraiser of the year. Several items are up for bid, including some very high-end items.

“ We take anything that people are willing to donate,” said Laura Kahn, the fundraising coordinator for the rescue. “We have a vacation to Palm Springs, a diamond necklace worth $500 and then we have $5 bottles of wine. There are just several different items.”

Over 150 businesses, mostly local, and the Minnesota Vikings donated to the cause. Gift certificates, gym memberships, an autographed photo from Minnesota Vikings player Adrian Peterson, and gift baskets make up just a few of the hundreds of items up for auction.

All of the proceeds from the auction will go to pay the various costs that arise for the animals that the Rescue cares for. “The money goes to the care of the dogs, we don’ t have any paid staff,” said Kahn. “ It goes to spaying and neutering, food, beds, kennels, vet costs, etc.”

The Rescue hasn’ t set an official goal for how much money they would like to raise at this weekend’s event, but they will be happy with any amount. “ It’ s pretty expensive to rescue dogs so anything helps,” said Kahn.

Unlike most silent auctions, this one will feature a “buy it now” option on some items. Also unlike most auctions, the winner does not have to be present at the end of the event to win their prize. “ If someone has to leave early that’ s ok. We will just give the winner a call if they don’ t stay for the whole event,” said Kahn.

Local musician Gordon Court is slated to provide the entertainment for the evening. According to Court’ s MySpace page he “performs a mixture of his own original music, contemporary Christian covers, and 60s and 70s acoustic folk/rock music. This is the blend that he calls ‘Acoustic Americana.’”

Since 2005, the 4 Luv of Dog Rescue has been placing animals into foster homes until they are able to find permanent homes. “ The rescue has really grown in the past two years. It started with six volunteers and now there are somewhere around 60,” said Kahn.

The Rescue is unique when compared to the other major shelters in the Fargo-Moorhead area, mostly due to the fact that there is no actual building for Rescue. Volunteers are strictly foster, which means they house at least one animal at a time. All of the animals are either rescued from the city pound or surrendered by their owners.

To see the animals available for adoption, to donate, or for more information on volunteering, visit the Rescue’s Web site, http://www.4luvofdog.org .

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If You Go

What: 4 Luv of Dog Auction & Gala
Where: Hilton Garden Inn
When: Sat Oct 23, 7-11pm
Info: 701.499.6000