Pugfest Raises Over $23,600 for the Southeast Pug Rescue & Adoption

ATLANTA (November 1, 2006)—Pugs dressed as bubblegum, bunches of grapes, little lions, Pugcasso and Superpug…no, it’s not Halloween, so it must be Pugfest! Pugfest 2006, held at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds, raised $23,600 this year, up from $17,000 last year, even though there were about the same amount of people (1,400) and pugs (700) both years. 

   In addition to admittance fees, the funds were raised through Pugfest t-shirt and SEPRA merchandise sales, donations for professional pet pictures, three raffles, a bake sale and a silent auction featuring pet products and services donated by Pet Fancy at Lenox Mall, The Pet Set, Peridot Distinctive Gifts and others. Additional donations were given in the form of SEPRA memberships and “Pennies from Heaven”.

   In addition to fundraising, Pugfest hosted contests for Best Trick, Best Kisser, Most Unique Pug Mix, Farthest Traveled Pug, Curliest Tail, Most Gray, Most Wrinkles and Longest Tongue. The festival also featured a fierce competition for both store-bought and homemade costume contests. The Krewe de Woo Woo took home the top prize in the homemade costume contest. Driving all the way from New Orleans, this family hauled a Mardi Gras style float to Pugfest and threw out beads to the crowd as their pugs rolled around displaying their costumes. The ensemble took a few weekends to create. Second place went to the turkey; he looks good enough to eat! First prize in the store-bought costume contest went to the cheerleader pugs. Who knew a pug would wear a wig?

   Though the amount raised is a substantial increase from last year, it is still not even enough to cover half of the rescue’s vet bills--$57,400 this year to date. Year-round, secure donations can be made through SEPRA’s website at www.rescuepug.com . Other ways to help include becoming a SEPRA member for a donation fee, becoming a rescued-pug foster home, adopting a pug or pug mix that has already received all the necessary (and sometimes expensive) vet care for just $200, or purchasing merchandise through SEPRA’s website with proceeds going directly to the organization.

   SEPRA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that rescues, fosters and adopts out pugs and pug mixes. The organization is run exclusively by volunteers, and, therefore, every dollar donated to or raised by SEPRA goes directly to rescues and administrative fees, like the website, brochures and newsletters. SEPRA pays no salaries or wages to any officer, member or volunteer. To learn more, visit www.rescuepug.com , or call 770-887-9741.