What started out as a simple backyard birthday party for three dogs has quickly grown into a festival with over 300 guests expected to attend. On June 16, Cornwall Middle School eighth grader, Tyler Fuger, will host a fund raiser for the Hudson Valley SPCA.
“My family has three dogs. Max, Finn, and Tessa,” Fuger writes on his Go Fund Me page, seeking donations for the event. “They all have birthdays in June and I wanted to have a birthday party for them. This won’t be a normal birthday party though.”
Fuger recently read an article about a Pine Bush woman who was charged with 28 counts of animal cruelty after more than two dozen dogs were found, for sale, in a 10-foot by 60-foot trailer. The dogs were taken to the SPCA’s shelter in New Windsor.
Fuger’s family donated blankets, food, toys, cleaning supplies, as well as other things to assist the shelter in caring for the additional canines. Thinking it wouldn’t be enough, Fuger decided to expand his efforts by organizing a fund raising event and inviting family friends with pets, as well as those who live in the area and don’t have a dog.
“I love dogs,” Fuger said. “They’re my favorite thing ever. A woman was hoarding dogs and they were brought to the SPCA. I just wanted to raise money for them because they were going through a tough time while with her. There are a lot of dogs there who need help.“
This isn’t the first time Fuger has raised money for the SPCA. Three years ago he raised $3,064 for the local animal shelter.
This time around, with the assistance of his father and grandparents, Fuger has organized quite the event. Hot dogs and pretzels will be sold and an effort is being made to invite food truck vendors. There will be a DJ, photo booth, face painting, and raffles, as well as demonstrations from the Sheriff Department’s K9 unit and a service dog trainer. An adoption center will be set up for those who don’t own a pet.
Fuger is waiting for approval from the Town Board, but the goal is to host the event on the grounds of Town Hall.
The event is expected to cost about $1,000, so a Go Fund Me page has been set up to collect donations.
To attend the fund raiser, all that’s asked is for guests to bring a “present” for the shelter. After all, it is a birthday party.
