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Costumed dogs attend Boo Bash

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By LOIS KINDLE

lkindle@tampatrib.com

Published: November 4, 2009

RUSKIN - Tricks and treats are not just for kids - at least not at the Boo Bash.

About 150 pet owners and their costumed canines turned out for the Oct. 24 fundraiser at the Critter Adoption and Rescue Effort shelter, a no-kill animal shelter. The three-hour benefit netted $1,200 for the nonprofit group.

Dressed as pirates, ladybugs, manatees and more, dogs of all breeds and sizes pranced around in their Halloween finest to win gifts baskets donated by area merchants. The event featured Halloween costume contests, a pumpkin carving and decorating contest, music, food and assorted vendors, all related to the care of pets.

Some pups came, sans costumes, simply to romp with their fashionable counterparts. It was a low-key, fun morning for all, said Give A Dog A Bone owner Hillary Stewart, who organized the event with fellow CARE board member Kelly Mariskanish.

"We kind of took a risk having it here at the CARE shelter, because it's in a residential area and we weren't sure about the parking," Stewart said. But we wanted people to know where the shelter is and what we're about." Stewart said a number of visitors toured the facility, and several started the adoption process.

"We plan to make this an annual event," she said.

"CARE is the best-kept secret in South Shore," said Katherine McClain of Riverview. "I didn't know about the shelter until I saw a recent clip about its needing volunteers in the newspaper."

As a result, she said, she signed up to help and plans to run for the board.

Winners of the costume contests were a Yorkshire terrier-poodle mix named Obie, whose owner, Kathy Worthington, dressed him as a pumpkin; and Tiny, a Chihuahua-spider owned by Connor O'Keefe of Apollo Beach.

Danielle Cole of Ruskin said she enjoyed herself.

"I came this year to check it out," she said. "Next year, I'm bringing my peekapoo Romeo as a biker dude."

CARE is an all-volunteer organization that relies on community donations to care for abused and abandoned cats and dogs. To help out, call (813) 645-2273 or visit www.care.org.

Reporter Lois Kindle can be reached at (813) 627-4760.

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