Worcester Animal Rescue League (WARL) is pleased to announce its First Annual Bow Wow Luau on Saturday, August 4 from noon to 3pm. In the spirit of their annual Kitten Shower, this new event is a public donation drive to help collect supplies and funds WARL will use to care for the more than 500 dogs and puppies they’ll house this year. Free and open to the public and their pooches, guests are asked to donate needed items including food ~ especially grain-free formulas for pups with allergies, blankets and enrichment toys (including Kongs, Frisbees, Canine Puzzles and the like). And for additional fees dogs can receive services such as nail trims, baths and microchipping.

“Our Facebook fans loved watching our posts about one of our dogs named Moxie and her puppies, so it gave us the idea to have a dog event like our Kitten Shower,” says Monica Hamilton, the shelter’s Special Events Manager and Publicist. “And since it’s the summer, we wanted to make it a summer theme,” adds Executive Director Allie Tellier. “Plus, I’ve always wanted to have a luau.”

The event will also feature a small yard sale of pet-related items, summer-themed treats, and music provided by Mike Messina from WTAG. It’s also a great opportunity to learn about the WARL foster parent program: becoming a foster parent is one of the most important ways a volunteer can help WARL’s homeless pets. In 2011, hundreds of animals found new homes because of WARL’s foster program.

For more information about WARL, visit www.worcester-arl.org. For more information about the Bow Wow Luau, contact Monica Hamilton or visit the events page on the shelter’s Facebook page.

About Worcester Animal Rescue League (WARL)

Founded in 1912 by a group of women determined to save overworked and abused farm horses, WARL continues this legacy of love for animals. As a no-kill, private, non-profit organization that does not receive any county, state, or federal funding, WARL relies heavily on the generosity of donors and volunteers. The facility annually assists over 2,500 cats, dogs, kittens and puppies in the 17 communities surrounding Worcester, MA. Now the largest animal shelter in Central MA, WARL is a limited-intake shelter, accepting pets only when enough kennel space is available; it does not believe in time or space limits for adoptable pets, and uses every resource available to place each one. Today, WARL is led by Executive Director Allie Tellier and a staff of 17. In April 2012, WARL celebrated 100 years of serving the homeless pets of Worcester County. Located at 139 Holden Street in Worcester, WARL is open Mon.-Sat. from 10am to 4pm, and Sun. from noon to 4pm. Visit www.worcester-arl.org, WARL’s Facebook page, or call (508)853-0030.