Poocharella Fundraiser Promises Plenty of Fun for Pups & Their People
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is second in a series called “For the Love of Animals,” about Brevard County animal rescue and support organizations. Look for ongoing coverage in our monthly collections, published on the first of each month. Click HERE to subscribe to our monthly collection launch newsletter to ensure our latest local stories land in your inbox.
Lily has inoperable thyroid carcinoma. As if that was not dire enough, the 10-year-old pitbull was unwanted until Touch of Grey rescued her. Foster mom Tara Chambers does not know how many days, weeks or months Lily may have left, but she does know that the dog will not be short on being loved for the rest of her time.
It costs the all-volunteer group $2,500 to $3,000 for the care of each dog, and they average about 35 to 40 senior or special-needs dogs at any given time. Some were denied even basic medical attention in the earlier portions of their lives and need veterinary care, medications and special diets. The fortunate ones were loved and protected by their owners until changes in circumstances — a death or illness or job loss — forced the humans to give up their beloved pets.
Touch of Grey steps in to save these animals, that would often languish in shelters, passed over for younger ones, until they were euthanized when space was at a premium. The dogs instinctively seem to know they are in good hands.
“We provide our dogs with dignity and a quality of life which many of them never had,” said Rebecca Moore, community relations director.
At age 6, Nathan the dachshund has plenty of days ahead, but he came under Touch of Grey’s wing with his hind legs paralyzed. He will not regain full mobility, but with his little wheelchair, Nathan is hell on wheels as he zips through life.
“He was also adopted by his foster family that couldn’t let him go,” Robinson said.
To pay the care bills that topped $200,000 last year in vet visits alone, Touch of Grey depends on its annual Poocharella fundraiser to raise money for the care of the dogs.
“While we have many events throughout the year, this is our biggest, with attendance close to 2,000 people,” Moore said. “We are hoping to raise between $50,000 to $75,000.”
This year’s “fest fur the dogs” runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, March 2, at Wickham Park, where dog fans and their favorite canines will find more than 100 vendors, a silent auction, raffle baskets, “Wheel of Furtune,” the Swift Paws lure course, a “Best in Rescue” dog contest, food trucks, pet caricatures, pet paw print paintings, a Photo Zone, musical entertainment, adult beverages and more.
Pet specialty vendors sell items like customized collars, dog frisbees, pet apparel and crate covers, while other vendors sell candles, candy, jewelry, home goods, novelties and clothing. Food trucks have food for both people and pups. The group also has invited other nonprofits, be they human- or animal-oriented rescues, to join in and share their resources with the community.
Touch of Grey was founded in 2019 with the mission to save and rescue senior and special-needs dogs in shelters, as well as those that need to be rehomed.
“Our focus is on Brevard, but we have a presence in Orange, Volusia, Seminole, Miami Dade, Palm Beach, Duval, Hillsborough and Nassau,” explained Executive Director Misaki Robinson. “As an all-breed, all-volunteer, foster-based group, Touch of Grey depends upon a network of foster homes.
“We do not have a brick-and-mortar shelter,” Robinson added. “All the dogs we are able to save immediately go to loving foster families.”
It is not uncommon for these kindhearted foster families to fall hard for their wards. Ruby’s fosters recently adopted the 10-year-old after fostering her for six months. Ruby adores foster dad Mike Oubre so much, and her foster mom is ok with sharing the love of her life with Ruby.
“We love her so much,” said Staci Oubre. “There's no way we could let her live with anyone else. She just fits into our household so well.”
As Robinson puts it, “foster fails” like Ruby’s are Touch of Grey’s favorite adoptions.
The group’s hope is that every dog in their care finds a family, but the reality is that because of medical issues, some dogs, like Lily, will be permanently fostered as part of a hospice program.
“They will remain with the foster until they pass,” Moore said.
For Lily, for Nathan, and for Ruby, Touch of Grey has meant salvation. Touch of Grey volunteers hope that Poocharella will help provide enough financial support to save many, many more dogs that need their help.
Connect
Touch of Grey
Touchofgreyrescue.org
Poocharella details: touchofgreyrescue.org/poocharella
Facebook: /touchofgreyrescue
Instagram: @touchofgrey_rescue
From the Archives
Feb. 1, 2024: Big Love Community Animal Outreach
Map It
