Humane Animal Partners holds annual summer soiree
Last October, Jeanine Porter and Jeff Bush came to Humane Animal Partners in Rehoboth Beach to adopt Tessy.
The black lab mix had lived in a small enclosure at the shelter for 1,007 days, by far a record for HAP.
On June 14, Porter and Bush attended HAP’s annual Wags, Whiskers and Wine fundraiser to say thank you. They did not bring Tessy; she stayed home, safe and sound.
“She’s amazing. We absolutely love her,” Porter said, while scrolling through pictures of Tessy in her first snowstorm, on the beach and on her bed.
Bush and Porter gave back for all the help HAP has given them. They donated scratch-off lottery tickets and a Michael Kors handbag to the raffle. They also bought a lot of raffle tickets and ended up winning several items.
“All the beautiful pups that are saved because of [HAP]. Even after we adopted her, the support they gave us was amazing,” Porter said.
Wags, Whiskers and Wine was held at Honey Bee at Hopkins Heartland on Fisher Road outside Lewes. Bethany Blues provided the food. Bin 66 donated the wine. Dogfish Head donated the beer. Matt Lafferty and the Pros from Dover played live music.
The goal was to raise $10,000 and raise awareness of HAP’s animal rescue mission.
“Across the country, adoption numbers are low. We want to make sure folks know we’re here. We have 30 adoptable dogs and cats at our Rehoboth facility,” said Leigh McKinley, HAP’s Sussex County director.
McKinley said adoptions at HAP are slow in June, pick up in the summer, then drop off in late August when people are getting ready to go back to school.
HAP will be taking delivery of its first mobile veterinary unit later this summer.
Patrick Carroll, HAP CEO, said it will allow them to reach people in rural Sussex County.
“Some of the animals have never seen a veterinarian, completely unspayed and neutered. We know the need is great,” Carroll said.
HAP’s next fundraiser is its annual casino night event Thursday, Sept. 26 at Baywood Greens.
For more information, go to humaneanimalpartners.org.
