Golden Retriever Rescue of Southwest Florida hosts GoldenFest X from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, March 31, at Doggy Heaven at the Shell Factory & Nature Park, 2787 N. Tamiami Trail, N. Fort Myers. Events include pet vendors, dog dock diving, pet portraits, raffles, auctions, refreshments and more. All breeds of well-mannered, leashed dogs are welcome. For details, visit www.grrswf.org, email info@grrswf.org or call 369-0415.
Participants can go to the dogs at GoldenFest X from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, March 31. Hosted by Golden Retriever Rescue of Southwest Florida, the festival will be held at the Doggy Heaven canine park at the Shell Factory & Nature Park in North Fort Myers.
Events include vendors, exhibits, pet portraits, dock dog diving, a doggy garage sale, refreshments, a huge raffle and silent auction, and more. Raffle and auction items range from attraction, theater, dinner cruise and hotel tickets to rounds of golf, gift cards and lavish gift baskets. Vendors include animal hospitals, boarding facilities, trainers, groomers, rescues and pet food companies.
There will also be a reunion tent for the golden retrievers GRRSWF has rescued from South Korea. Since 2015, the rescue has saved 51goldens from that country to raise awareness about the dog-meat industry that still exists in some countries. The group recently rescued two goldens from Iran as well.
“While the rescue continues to work with local shelters and humane societies, there are lovable pups in countries like South Korea who are routinely inhumanly euthanized through no fault of their own,” said GoldenFest coordinator Mark Dahlberg, who also serves as the rescue’s international rescue coordinator. “There are families here waiting and wanting to give these pups a second chance at a happy life. GRRSWF’s volunteers are excited every time they can welcome one to Southwest Florida.”
“This event is our major fundraiser of the year, so community support is vital,” said Alesia Galuppo, GRRSWF president. “It has grown enormously over the years and we expect this year’s event to be even bigger. We are grateful to the Shell Factory for providing such a dog-friendly venue and look forward to sharing the day with fellow dog lovers.”
The Shell Factory is located at 2787 N. Tamiami Trail in North Fort Myers.
All breeds of well-mannered, leashed dogs are invited to attend with their owners. Admission and parking are free. Additional auction item donations and vendors are welcome.
For more information, visit grrswf.org, email info@grrswf.org or call 369-0415.
