FUNDRAISER TO HELP ANIMALS — Sybil, at left, is one of the cats staying at the Jefferson County Humane Society in Wintersville who had eye-removal surgery stemming from an infection. At right, Stitch, a pug who came in to the nonprofit with only one eye, is one of the many animals looking to be adopted. Officials stated Stitch cries out at anyone walking by to get their attention. A fundraiser to help care for the shelter animals’ needs and medical costs will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 4. The Rescue Them All Pup Crawl will take place at Texas Roadhouse, 7 Ranges Entertainment, the Ville and 3 Bad Hombres. -- Contributed

WINTERSVILLE — Those whom we consider to be man’s best friend are in need of a friend themselves. You see, the hundreds of dogs and cats residing at the Jefferson County Humane Society and in foster homes have no idea why their caregivers are currently struggling.

They are not aware that every animal that passes through the shelter ultimately ends up costing the nonprofit money.

For those wondering how that can be, the answer is simple. Shelters do not profit through adoptions. As a matter of fact, they do not receive a penny from the state or government, solely relying on the community or grants to help run the facility.

That is why the nonprofit agency is turning to dog’s best friend to help.

Ohio Valley residents are being asked to participate in an upcoming fundraiser in support of the hundreds of dogs and cats being cared for at the humane society and in foster homes until an adoption comes through.

According to Development Manager Brandi DeNoon-Damewood, the Rescue Them All Pup Crawl is set to take place from noon to 5 p.m. on Oct. 4.

DeNoon-Damewood explained medical care is expensive — and care is given to every single animal that passes through the shelter. That, in turn, causes the organization to lose money.

She noted it isn’t even a question of whether or not an animal brought to the shelter will be helped, because every dog, every cat, every animal the shelter receives a call about — including horses — will receive the medical care they need.

DeNoon-Damewood explained the shelter does “everything possible to save them all.”

However, during the last two years, there have been more cases involving serious medical conditions than in previous years. Many kittens have had to have their eye or eyes removed because of infections stemming from not having the correct immunization from a veterinarian.

Yes, animals have absolutely no concept about money. But community residents do.

People understand that funding is needed for the veterinary care the humane society provides to every dog and cat that comes through its facility.

Funding is needed to help rehabilitate those animals that have been abused in order to make them feel like not every human is filled with hate.

Funding is needed to provide educational outreach in local schools, teaching children about the need to have empathy for and display kindness toward all animals.

Funding is needed to help the organization purchase the necessary supplies to care for each shelter and foster animal.

“Instead of taking away care from the animals, I am trying to raise money to replenish the medical funding and hopefully, grow our outreach programs and hire a dog trainer to help with behavior issues, as that can often prevent adoptions from happening,” DeNoon-Damewood stated.

Those who volunteer at the Wintersville shelter are the ones we entrust to care for the homeless animals, animals which have been cast aside, animals which have been physically and mentally abused, animals who were surrendered to perhaps have a better life.

This fundraiser will help them all.

Those participating in the bar crawl will visit Texas Roadhouse, 7 Ranges Entertainment, the Ville and 3 Bad Hombres.

Tickets are $25 each and include a $20 food voucher at Texas Roadhouse, special low-priced alcohol, participation in giveaways, trivia games with prizes, free drawings and drawings which require a ticket be purchased.

DeNoon-Damewood is asking area businesses to donate or contribute to the cause. Items can be gift certificates or merchandise to be used during the day’s drawings.

She is seeking local sponsors, with $100 or $500 sponsorships available.

A $100 sponsorship will allow for your name or the name of your business to be listed on the back of the T-shirts, listed at the registration table and a thank-you posted on Facebook.

A $500 sponsorship will include the title of “Rounds for Hounds,” with 100 drink tokens stating your name or the business’s logo printed on the tokens.

Each crawler will receive one token that can be redeemed at a bar for a free “round” on you. These sponsors will be posted on every Facebook ad and at the registration table.

DeNoon-Damewood is asking participating bars if they can place signage at each establishment and include a thank-you for the rounds.

The first 200 people who purchase a ticket will be given a free T-shirt. T-shirts can be purchased for $20 for a small, medium or large, or $22 for a 2x or 3x through Sept. 20.

For information, call (740) 314-5583, visit the humane society’s Facebook page or website at jeffersoncountyhumanesociety.net.