A fundraiser for the Canine Valley Re-Education and Adventure Centre Society (CVRAC) takes place tonight (March 16) at the Zephyr Café in downtown Squamish to help the organization care for 10 resident rescue dogs while founder and operator Valley Calderoni is recovering from back-to-back knee surgeries.
"I'm the one who supports the rescue dogs," Calderoni said, "so without me working, we don't have money for food."
CVRAC is a private non-profit organization with five part-time staff dedicated to the re-education of dogs with behavioural problems. Owners and dogs can go to a re-education centre for training, while rescue and shelter is provided for abandoned or troubled dogs, and volunteers can gain valuable work experience.
Calderoni, a graduate of the Animal Behaviour College in California and a certified professional dog trainer, founded the centre when she moved to Squamish seven years ago. Since then, she and her group have made a positive difference in the lives of many canines.
"I have one more month to go before I can actually walk with my dogs," she said. "The centre's activities have been reduced to only training sessions for dogs, when they spend a day at the centre, but there are no rehabilitation activities going on because that's what I do, the actual work with the dogs."
CVRAC has been relying on the help of volunteers and donations to stay afloat during Calderoni's convalescence.
"We need treats, dog food and toys, any of that helps a lot," Calderoni said. "I'm hoping to raise as much as we can."
Items up for grabs at the silent auction include an Arc'teryx jacket, Oakley sunglasses, a dog language book, and gift certificates from the local pet food stores.
There will also be live music sets by local performers Nadia Halward and Ryan Kobylka, followed by DJ Jason Kruk who will play until late, and a mini cash bar.
The fundraiser begins tonight at 8:30 p.m. Admission is by donation at the door. For those who would like to donate online, go to www.caninevalley.com/donate. To donate an item for the silent auction, call (604) 250-5097.
