It’s not exactly Dogs Playing Poker, but it could be the closest thing to it.
The first ever Bets for Pets event debuts in Squamish at Chances Casino on April 16, with all proceeds going to the Squamish SPCA.
It’s a Casino Royale theme with blackjack dealers, bingo, ka-plinko and big spin games available. The games are all by donation, and players can purchase chips to play. Chips will then be used by players to purchase raffle tickets to win prizes such as passes to the Sea to Sky Gondola or Whistler Blackcomb, kiteboarding lessons and many other prizes.
Jamie Boyes, one of the organizers for the event, said she and her classmates put together a strong plan in her marketing class to help impress Squamish SPCA higher-ups.
“The local SPCA was looking for their next move and wanted help, so they came to our marketing class at Capilano University,” she said. “We got put into teams of four people and the winner got to plan and host their proposal.”
The SPCA selected Boyes and her team’s plan, and she said it’s been a whirlwind of activity the past two months.
“It’s been really exciting because all of us are aware of the SPCA and really believe in it,” she said. “It’s been our lives the past two months and the casino has been great to work with. They donated the venue at a low cost, and I think it’s good for them to show such a commitment to the community.”
Boyes said the Squamish SPCA should benefit significantly from the event.
“The SPCA is growing and they’re doing a great thing in the community but they’re outgrowing their resources,” she said. “They could use support from the community to help them be able to house more animals. I think they could be doing so much more if they had more resources.”
In addition to the games, there will also be a cash prize slot tournament and live music by Quest University band Little Birds. There will also be a DJ, live presentations from SPCA workers and a video of both success stories and one highlighting animals available for adoption.
A ticket gets you 10 chips for Blackjack, four bingo cards, three ka-plinko drops, two spins on big spin and two raffle tickets. Various gaming packages can be refilled by suggested donation. It runs from 6 to 11 p.m. and is a 19-plus event.
For more details, visit the Facebook event page called Bets for Pets!
