Golf event to benefit animal rescue organization

By JEFF STITT

jstitt@yourmvi.com

Paws Across Pittsburgh, a nonprofit animal rescue, comes to the aid of a lot of furry friends each year. 

The organization is completely run by unpaid volunteers who provide rescued animals with love and veterinary care and who work around the clock to find them forever families, according to foster volunteer Diane Raible.

Raible, who is also coordinator of Dolly’s Dogs at Paws Across Pittsburgh — a program for dogs with disabilities and special medical conditions — said the foster families and volunteers are glad to take care of rescued animals, but she admits caring for them can get expensive.

That’s why Paws Across Pittsburgh is holding its second benefit golf outing Saturday at Butler’s Golf Course in Elizabeth Township to raise funds for the rescue organization, which has cared for 1,733 dogs and 598 cats over the past few years.

Raible said 24 or 25 foursomes are confirmed to participate in the event, and there is space for 36.

Golfers will play 18 holes, have access to a cart and will be treated to beverages. The cost is $300 per foursome or $85 per individual golfer.

There will also be a 50/50 drawing, a basket raffle and skills competitions during the event. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. with a scramble-format tee-off at 8.

Paws Across Pittsburgh initially intended to offer a picnic-style lunch for golfers returning from the greens, but that had to be scrapped due to coronavirus restrictions. Instead, Raible and other volunteers are searching for a local business to sponsor “grab-and-go” lunches. She said the sponsor would be able to place an advertisement or flier on or in the lunch package. 

Anyone interested in sponsoring the lunches can contact Raible at diane@pawsacrosspittsburgh.com.

For more information about how to sign up to golf in the outing, go to pawsacrosspittsburgh.com/events.

Those who can’t make it to the event but would like to donate can do so through PayPal by going to www.pawsacrosspittsburgh.com/donate and clicking the yellow “Donate” button. 

Raible said a large part of golf outing proceeds will go toward paying for veterinary and specialized care for rescued animals.

She operates Dolly’s Dogs from her White Oak home and at any given time could have a half dozen or more dogs — some of whom are amputees or have overcome physical disabilities — in her basement, which is fitted to be safe, hygienic and comfortable for dogs.

Raible said caring for animals that need specialized therapy and medicine isn’t cheap.

“There’s a common misconception where people think that rescues get vetting for free. That isn’t the case,” she said. “Every penny we raise goes toward the care and welfare of animals.

“The more we’re able to fundraise, the more we’re able to take on some of the major cases.”

To read the rest of this story, please see a copy of Wednesday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at https://e.monvalleyindependent.com.