Support VIPP at annual Fur Ball

Vashon Island Pet Protectors (VIPP) is one of the Island’s most important resources. With many animal lovers living here, it is great reassurance to know that Island pets are well protected with VIPP’s services.

July 15, 2008 4:31 pm
Daisy is available for adoption through VIPP and is just one of the many animals VIPP helps each year.
Daisy is available for adoption through VIPP and is just one of the many animals VIPP helps each year.

Vashon Island Pet Protectors (VIPP) is one of the Island’s most important resources. With many animal lovers living here, it is great reassurance to know that Island pets are well protected with VIPP’s services.

Vashon Island Pet Protectors is an all volunteer no-kill non-profit animal rescue organization whose primary objective is to make sure there are no homeless pets on the Island.

VIPP provides shelter, food and medical care to lost, abandoned and/or relinquished dogs and cats. All animals that are adopted out are micro-chipped, spayed or neutered and are current on their vaccinations. VIPP also runs an effective lost and found operation to reunite lost animals with their guardians.

A great way to support VIPP’s mission is to attend Vashon Island Pet Protector’s sixth annual Fur Ball, a fundraising auction. “The Most Fantastique Fur Ball Ever” will be held Saturday, Aug. 2, at the VFW.

Proceeds from the Fur Ball provide the majority of VIPP’s operating costs, which last year were almost $110,000. In 2007, nearly 400 cats and dogs were helped by VIPP’s services. The money raised from last year’s auction was used to spay or neuter 159 cats and dogs, provide medical/surgical care to 399 animals beyond spay and neuter, find homes for 153 cats and dogs and return 84 cats and dogs to their owners.

It’s easy to take these kind and compassionate services for granted, but providing them can only happen with generous donations as well as the work of dedicated volunteers.

Mark your calendar for Aug. 2 and come to the Fur Ball. The items you bid on and buy will help touch and improve the lives of Vashon’s pets.

Tickets to the Fur Ball are $20 and are available online at www.VIPP.org as well as at Pandora’s Box, Fair Isle Animal Clinic, Books by the Way and the Vashon Bookshop.

For sponsorship and questions, contact Kate Dunagan at 567-5485 or kateric@hotmail.com.

To volunteer for this event, contact Victoria Rohlfs at 463-5381 or victoriarohlfs@yahoo.com.

— Tom De Felice is a VIPP volunteer and the adoptive father of Bailey, A VIPP alumna.