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Community Corner

Dog Wash Raises Money to Support Brick Shelter

Locals took their dogs out for a bath this summer.

Dogs got a bath, dried with a towel and brushed at the Jersey Shore Animal Center's (JSAC) 'Rub a Dub Dub Dog Wash' that was held this past weekend to benefit the center, which is located on on Brick Boulevard.

Locals took their dogs out for a wash at $10 per pooch to get them cleaned up and to benefit the center. 

Among them was Jack Irving, 63, of Toms River, who came with his  11-year-old yellow lab, Samantha. Three years ago, Samantha was rescued and Irving picked her up from the Jersey Shore Animal Center.

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"I come back here when I can to support the shelter and because I got her from here. The people are always terrific," Irving said. "It's a great organization and they do great work."

Also among the group of over 20 dog owners who attended were Matawan residents Alissa Burneyko, 27, and her mother Gail, 51, with their 7-year-old chow boxer Rosa. The mother and daughter got this family dog from the JSAC and upon visiting family in Toms River, they decided to take Rosa for a visit and to get a bath. Rosa's owners said they were proud that this rescued dog has learned how to play golf, swim and understand Spanish, according to Alissa Burneyko. 

"My dad trained her to sit behind him when he golfs and after he hits the ball, she knows and that's when she runs to go get it," Alissa Burneyko said. "Sometimes she'll catch a fly ball in the air."

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Lorraine Cooper, 41, and her husband Chadd, 40, both from Brick, were two of the several volunteers at the dog wash. Lorraine Cooper has been volunteering with the shelter for seven years and this year is a first for Chadd Cooper.

"People are kind and patient here and it's a fun event," Lorraine Cooper said.

She also said that the dog wash on Sunday was fairly busy and that she's enjoyed dealing with 'dog people.'

"When we started the wash today (on Sunday), people were waiting in line. It turned out to be a sunny day and a lot of people from the last wash came back," Lorraine Cooper said in reference to the dog wash that was held last year.

Jaime McLachlan, the community relations manager and a volunteer at the shelter, spoke on behalf of the organization, saying how it's a private non-profit that deals with mainly Brick and Mantoloking.

"We take abused, abandoned and sick animals and put them in rehab if they need to be," McLachlan said. "We do what we can to help animals." 

McLachlan explained that the money from the dog wash will go toward animal care, surgery, medication and food.

"Sometimes the animals will need antibiotics, so we'll provide them with that," McLachlan said.

As far as adopting goes, the center has certain standards, including looking into previous vet history of current and past animals if someone has or had any other animals. It ensures that each animal goes to the best homes, with all of their age-appropriate shots and a microchip. And, there are no one-day adoptions, McLachlan said.

The dog wash was one of the smaller fundraisers the center has held. According to McLachlan, each year it holds three large fundraisers as well. She explained that it has the Beach to Bay 5K in April, Bikers 4 Animals in September (which was held earlier this month) and a gift auction in October. Other smaller events include a Dog Walk for Cancer, Dogfest, Petco adoption weekends and more.

For more information on the JSAC, visit www.jerseyshoreanimalcenter.org.

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