It Takes A Village Canine Rescue (ITV) began six years ago. A small number of dog lovers came together and started pulling dogs from Evansville Animal Control. They gave love to an unwanted or stray dog. They gave much needed vetting. This included spay or neuter. They socialized and started some basic training to these "thrown away" dogs. They put their heart and souls into their foster until they matched an adopter with their foster. A dog that was previously tossed into the system...and possibly euthanized...was now starting a happy new chapter in life.
Six years ago, some passionate dog rescuers fostered one dog at a time from their own homes. Today, ITV is still fostering from homes. It is also Evansville's only non profit No Kill rescue with a 24 hour operating shelter. We have 50+ dogs temporarily residing within the teal blue walls on Stockwell Road. It's taken more money and more volunteer time than anyone could have imagined. In the past 4 years , ITV's adoption rates have increased dramatically over the years.
This type of success doesn't come easily. There is never enough money. There are never enough volunteers. There is never enough time. The one thing that we are never lacking, however, is heart. Rescue isn't easy. It's not all puppy kisses and rainbows. But, those of us who advocate for dog rescue have huge hearts.
Money can't buy everything, but in rescue, it is the one thing we are always searching for. Not a day goes by that we aren't planning ways to raise money to cover expenses that will allow us to continue saving furry lives. Whether its selling a candy bar, dine in for dogs, designing a t-shirt, selling food at booth 107A at The Fall Festival or finding sponsors for our main fundraiser of the year, I guarantee there are always multiple fundraisers in some stage of planning.
Approaching quickly is ITV's Canine Carnival/Mardis Paws. Normally, we plan and set up in our parking lot. Bands play, food is prepared, kids play games, silent auction items are bid on as well as numerous other family friendly fun things. This year, we've taken a leap of faith. Our main core of volunteers have a dream that ITV will grow bigger. Grow and be able to save many more furry friends. We've rented Historic Bosse Field for and are in the final frenzy of preparations.
With the extra space, location and opportunity, we are dreaming big. We hope to bring Evansville a Canine Carnival that will be so much fun and so successful, residents will look forward every year to the festivities. No matter who you are, what age you are or your political views, Canine Carnival will have something for you!
Two stages will be set up this year for your entertaining purposes. One stage will have talented bands playing from 11:30 until 9. The other stage will start off the festivities with an opening ceremony and National anthem. You can participate in the pet parade and be in contention for a trophy in one of many categories. You could win Holiday World tickets when your pet competes in "Silly Pet Tricks" and wins first place. If you don't have a pet who does a silly trick, then you will enjoy the entertainment from performances on the stage.
Mid day, Collin Clarke and Glenn Ubelhor, the two men who are Collination, will astound you with their tear jerking motivating story that is now viral and reaching millions of people internationally. They will also entertain you with their award winning pose routines. You will be humbled and amazed with Collin's story and want to get your photo taken with the duo.
Grainger has stepped up and is the top dog sponsor presenting this annual event. 30+ vendors and crafters all with different talents will display their items for sale around the field. Some of our best Mardi Gras food featured from our fall festival menu will be spreading a delicious aroma that will get your taste buds watering. More basic types of food, snacks and drinks will also be available if you aren't one who likes to try something different. We will also have an area where you can grab a beer, glass of wine or margarita while your eardrums listen to the tunes from the rotating band schedule.
Kids will be squealing with delight when they see the inflatables, dogs and multiple games where they can snag a great prize. A professional photographer will be taking photos of your pet in front of a festive backdrop. If you're wanting a keepsake of your dog's paw print that will decorate your home or office, we will have an artistic booth set up for this too! And who can resist the fun photo booth? Take your friends in and create a crazy photo memory. Better yet, take in your furry best friend and pose together for a strip of photos that you will always treasure.
ITV's Canine Carnival will have such an array of fun things to do. We even encourage you to just sit back, relax and enjoy all going on around you. We know there will be something interesting for every person who walks through the gates.
ITV is anxious to step it up, grow and help more dogs this year than we ever have. We can't do it without you, though! A fundraiser of this magnitude requires a large number of volunteers. Please go to our website, ITVRescue.org and look for the volunteer sign up log. With so much going on, we need talent and brawn of all shape and sizes. If you can't volunteer, please consider a donation. We are accepting canned sodas, bottled water and silent auction items. If you can't do this, please mark June 11 on your calendar and tell all your friends about our event.
Our dogs are depending on us. We won't let them down. But we need YOUR help. It truly DOES take a village to rescue dogs. We can't do it with just a handful of volunteers. We want the Tri-state buzzing with excited about our upcoming event. Be on the lookout for our TV commercial, radio spots and billboard advertisements around the city. Our core volunteers at ITV Rescue are determined to plan a very successful day to raise enough funds to help more dogs. There are always too many dogs and not enough kennel spaces or foster homes. With your support of Canine Carnival/Mardi Paws, you can start helping...UNTIL ALL PAWS HAVE A HOME!
I look forward to seeing you. I will be the short brunette haired gal helping run the activities. My name is Lori Martin and I'm a dog advocate and ITV Volunteer. Please come and say hello on at Bosse Field. I guarantee a fun filled day!
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