Stray Grass and BBQ at Dawg Days festival

Grand Junction’s favorite hometown band Stray Grass is performing in Moab at the Humane Society of Moab Valley’s Dawg Days of Summer event on Saturday, June 2, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The Dawg Days of Summer is the local humane society’s biggest fundraiser of the year. In addition to live music, the event includes a barbecue dinner and silent auction.

“This is the fifth year that The Blu Pig has generously donated all the food,” Humane Society of Moab Valley Executive Director Leigh Ryan said.

The Blu Pig is cooking “backyard-style” pulled barbecue pork, barbecue chicken, baked beans, potato salad and corn muffins. Vegetarian options are available with advance notice. Dinner will be served from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

“The humane society is a nonprofit we support wholeheartedly,” said The Blu Pig co-owner Penny Tanner, a former humane society board member. “It’s important to our family. We’re all animal lovers. One of the things I’m passionate about is its spay and neuter program.”

Other Moab businesses have contributed to the humane society event as well. More than 100 silent auction items have been donated by local companies, including restaurant packages, spa dates, landscaping plant certificates, day trips, artwork, massage and fitness certificates and more.

“Dawg Days … generates a significant part of our budget,” Ryan said. “Our volunteers enjoy helping each year, and tell us this event is a fun and rewarding way to help us continue programs that support our community members and their pets. The Dawg Days event is for the whole family and we hope everyone can join us.”

The local humane society has been a no-kill organization since 2004 and is operated solely through grants and donations, and fundraisers like Dawg Days of Summer. Its mission is to promote and provide responsible care for Moab’s animals. That includes finding “forever homes” for pets that have been abandoned, and providing financial assistance for life-saving medical treatment for animals that would otherwise not receive it.

Spay and neutering clinics are sponsored in Moab, Monticello, Blanding and Green River. The humane society also operates a pet food bank for low-income pet owners and offers discounted fees for senior adopters or for adopting senior animals.

Tickets for Dawg Days of Summer are available at Back of Beyond Books, Canyonlands Copy Center, Moab Animal Shelter, Moab BARKery and during City Market’s Dog Adoption Days. Tickets can be purchased in advance on the web by visiting moabpets.org.

For more information on the barbecue, adoptable animals, volunteering or making a donation, call 435-259-4862, or visit the web site moabpets.org or Facebook page for “Moab Humane-Society.” Pets are available for adoption throughout the week.

Fundraiser benefits the Humane Society of Moab Valley

When: Saturday, June 2, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Where: Old City Park, south of town in Spanish Valley, 2231 Elk Circle

Cost: Tickets $20 in advance; $25 at the door. Kids under 10, $10 in advance or $15 at the door

Information: moabpets.org; 435-259-4862