Blue Island Stray Dog Project Hosts Fundraiser Saturday At Rock Island Public House

BLUE ISLAND, IL – The Blue Island Stray Dog Project will hold its third annual fundraiser, Ruff Around Blue Island, on Saturday, Sept. 13, from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Rock Island Public House, 13328 Olde Western Ave., Blue Island.

The money collected through this event furthers the mission of the dog rescue organization to provide a safe haven and compassionate care for stray dogs that are found roaming the streets of Blue Island. This involves housing the dogs in kennels and caring for them at the Blue Island Police Department Headquarters.

Expenses include bedding and kennel set-ups; sanitation supplies; food, supplements, and treats; harnesses and leashes; and toys and other enrichment items. Veterinary care, medications, and surgeries are major expenses, as well as grooming needs.

Featured at Ruff Around Blue Island will be raffles, including baskets, split-the-pot, drain-the-keg, and door prizes. BISDP merchandise will be for sale, including T-shirts, hoodies, and hats. Monetary donations and payments can be made by cash, check, PayPal, Zelle, and Venmo. There will be a bin for donated items.

Professional dog trainer Dan Bartley, known as Southside’s Doggy Dan, who works with Blue Island Stray Dog Project, will be there to support the effort and to discuss dog behavior with visitors.

BISPD volunteers will be there to discuss the organization, its mission, operations, and outcomes, and volunteering opportunities. The first goal is to reunite dogs with their owners, but that doesn’t always happen, and some dogs require new forever homes. Pictures of and information on the dogs currently available for adoption or fostering will be available.

BISDP was founded in 2018. It is funded through donations, in-kind services, sales of merchandise, and countless volunteer hours. The Internal Revenue Service recently approved BISDP as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit, tax-exempt organizations so donations will be tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Life on the street is brutal for man’s best friend, and the dog rescue group has helped hundreds of dogs, from poodles to pit bulls, and emaciated puppies and pregnant females to senior citizens.

Keep up with Blue Island Stray Dog Project happenings on Facebook, or visit BlueIslandStrays for current dogs available. Guests should leave their dogs at home.