A furry fundraiser

Animal lovers can enjoy good food and live music, while supporting dogs and cats in need of a home, by attending the Dawg Days of Summer BBQ Humane Society of Moab Valley fundraiser on Saturday, June 27, at Old City Park.

Paul and Zee McCarroll founded the annual barbecue fundraising event in 2002, while working as chefs at the former Center Café, to help open Moab’s first animal shelter. Other restaurants, such as the Moab Brewery, Jeffrey’s Steakhouse and the former Buck’s Grill House, have since stepped up to donate food at past Dawg Days of Summer events.

This Saturday’s event will feature food from The Blu Pig and Sweet Cravings Bakery and Bistro. The menu includes backyard-style barbecue with pulled pork and sausage with peppers and onions, coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans, and delectable desserts. Vegetarians who RSVP may request a meatless entrée option. Dinner will be served from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

From 5 to 8 p.m., while people dine and peruse the silent auction items, acoustic Americana folk and blues solo artist Eric Jones will perform live music; Mill Creek Station, a local band that plays classic rock, country and blues songs from the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, will also take to the stage.

“We’re known for our vocals and harmonies,” Mill Creek Station guitar player and Humane Society board member James Grantham said.

Members of Mill Creek Station include Grand County School Superintendent Scott Crane, Utah State University-Moab Dean Steve Hawks, Grand County Council member Jaylyn Hawks, college student Joseph Hawks and retired National Park Service employee Glenn Sherrill.

“We want Eric Jones to sit in and play some songs with us,” Grantham said. “He is a really good mandolin player.”

While the music is playing, attendees will have an opportunity to bid on a variety of silent auction items such as restaurant packages, spa dates, landscaping plant certificates, artwork, massage and fitness certificates, and Jeep rentals from Twisted Jeep Rentals. The silent auction closes at 7:15 p.m.

“We have over 100 items for our silent auction, all donated by our generous community,” HSMV director Leigh Ryan said.

Bret Edge, owner of The Edge Gallery, donated a “really nice metal print,” Grantham said. “It’s amazing.”

The art piece is a black and white print on aluminum, which was part of an exhibition titled “Moab Monochrome” – a collection of photographs taken in black and white around the Moab area, Edge said.

“The Humane Society does such a fantastic job,” Edge said. “I feel strongly (donating to the silent auction) is a good opportunity to contribute to that.”

The Humane Society is run mostly by volunteers and funded solely by grants and donations. Its mission is to improve the lives of companion animals and their owners by saving the lives of orphaned animals through rescue and adoption services. It also provides training, support and education for pet owners and the community; as well as spay and neuter services for all cats and dogs.

The Humane Society is always looking for volunteers to help with fundraising events, adoption day, office work and providing dog and cat foster homes, Ryan said.

Dawg Days of Summer to benefit pets in need

“The Humane Society does such a fantastic job … I feel strongly (donating to the silent auction) is a good opportunity to contribute to that.”

For more information about the barbecue, adoptable animals, or volunteering, call 435-259-4682. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. Tickets are available at the Humane Society office inside the Moab City Shelter, as well as the Moab BARKery, Back of Beyond Books, Sgt. Pepper’s Music and Video, WabiSabi East, Canyonlands Copy Center and on dog adoption days at City Market

When: Saturday, June 27, 5 to 8 p.m.

Where: Old City Park, corner of Old City Park Road and Murphy Lane

Cost: $20 in advance for adults, or $25 at the event; $10 in advance for kids 10 and under, or $12 at the event

Information: moabpets.org, or 435-259-4862