Gone To The Dogs

No puppies will be for sale in the parking lot of Quality Inn this weekend.

But the treasures that are available will benefit dogs throughout Carroll County.

FAQ

Yards & Yards

Of Yard Sales

WHEN - 7 a.m.-3 p.m. today & Saturday

WHERE - All over Eureka Springs; maps are available at the Visitors Center on U.S. 62 near Pine Mountain Village

COST - All-day trolley tickets are available for $6; however, the trolleys do not begin operations until 9 a.m.

INFO - 253-8737 or on Facebook at Yards & Yards of Yard Sales of Eureka Springs

FYI

Bargains Galore

Set Thursday-Aug. 9

Another annual event, Bargains Galore on 64, is scheduled for Thursday-Aug. 9 along U.S. 64 from Fort Smith to Beebe.

INFO - 667-4455 or bargainsgaloreon64.org

Go East Young Dog is among the nonprofits which take advantage of Eureka Springs' annual Yards and Yards of Yard Sales. Based in Berryville, it was founded 2 1/2 years ago by Bill King of Eureka Springs.

'I served on the Good Shepherd Humane Society Board for several years and was continually frustrated that the shelter was full and unable to take in animals,' he says. 'I knew there were a huge number of unwanted and homeless dogs and cats that were not being served. I was introduced to Diane Ferguson, who had been operating an out-of-state adoption program in Boone County, and we tried to start a similar program at Good Shepherd.'

Even though 'the logistics proved unworkable at the time,' King was hooked on the idea.

'After driving several van loads of dogs to adoptive homes out east for Diane, I came to believe that an out-of-state adoption program is a potential solution to the pet overpopulation problem. So I ventured off on my own, formed this organization, worked with the Berryville mayor to lease the kennel, hired staff and started adopting dogs.'

King says it is unfortunate that the out-of-state demand doesn't seem to exist for cats. But dogs are extremely adoptable.

'Out east,' King says, 'people seem to get that ... there are millions of homeless pets that are killed each year because there are more dogs and cats than available homes. And in many states you cannot get a pet license unless the animal has been altered. We hear all the time how hard it is for people there to find a puppy.

'People out east also seem to understand that adopting rescue dogs rather than buying pet shop or puppy mill dogs is karmically a better option.'

Since its inception, Go East Young Dog has transported nearly 600 dogs and puppies to new homes back east. The bulk of the nonprofit's funding comes from adoption fees.

'The people who adopt from us are also financially supporting dog rescue; most come from more affluent areas and can afford higher adoption fees,' King says. 'Plus, veterinary care is more expensive out east, so by adopting a 'turn-key' pup from us, one that has been altered, vaccinated and vetted for parasites, they can actually save money adopting out-of-state, even with the transport fee.

'But adoption fees are not enough to cover the enormous costs of operating the rescue, so we need to fund raise and solicit donations,' King adds. 'The yard sale should help make up our budget shortfall for a month or two and also help improve our kennel facility.'

King knows Go East Young Dog will be offering 'furniture, household items, collectibles and a few antiques' for sale, but the nonprofit is also accepting donations through early this morning. And shoppers can also find out more about the organization, hear about volunteer opportunities and meet some dogs.

'We could definitely use more foster (homes) and volunteers,' King says. And 'we will be bringing a few of our sweet but harder to adopt dogs to the sale and will have adoption applications on site. Some of our bigger or older dogs are difficult to adopt sight-unseen, even though they are sweet, loving animals. But we think when people actually get to meet them, they will see the beautiful spirits of these dogs.'

King knows what he offers can be addictive.

'I've always liked animals, have had dogs much of my life and served on the Humane Society Board for years. But it was when I founded Go East that I really fell into the bottomless, all consuming dog rescue vortex.'

NAN What's Up on 08/01/2014