Two-month-old pup River was full of playful energy at the second annual golf tournament fundraiser for Langley Animal Protection Society, one of his first few crowded outings.
Under the foster care of Briehl Rissanen, animal care attendant at LAPS, River receives lots of socializing among her two other dogs.
A fresh graduate with her veterinary assistant diploma, Rissanen started her position at LAPS only one month ago, but she couldn't resist offering a temporary home to River, a corgi blue heeler mix, before he was sent back to the dog house program at a women's prison when an application to adopt him fell through.
"I felt bad for him so I said I'd take him. He has some applications, but nothing has stuck yet so I'll probably be keeping him for a bit," Rissanen said.
At the fundraiser on the Fort Langley Golf Course, River loved to play tugs and give kisses to anyone who greet him.
"He loves people," his temporary foster mom said.
He was one of seven adoptable dogs at the tournament – four adults and three puppies in total – plus several cats and kittens.
Another dog available was six-year-old Kyle, a husky, who recently just marked one full year staying at the local shelter.
The event combined golfing and snuggles with some of the shelter's adoptable animals, and included a barbecue dinner, and raised a whooping $75,655 for the local animal shelter.
All funds support animals at LAPS and its service support programs, said Kelsi Sutton, director of development, including the pet food bank and Major's legacy fund.
“We have seen more animals abandoned than ever before and LAPS programs aim to address both human and animal struggles," she noted.
Sarah Jones, executive director, elaborated that right now the shelter is beyond capacity with animals, and more animals are coming in daily and even more people are calling to surrender.
"Our ultimate goal at LAPS is to keep families together, and that includes pets," Sutton said.
Jones confirmed the tournament will return again next year.
Next for LAPS is another fundraiser in the fall, with details to come.
