Hy-Vee Gas Pet Show drives awareness for JCARL

The first annual Hy-Vee Gas Pet Show on Saturday brought in a piano-playing pig, a kissing kitty and about a dozen dogs in disguise.

Joel Jones, Hy-Vee Gas store manager, organized the event in an effort to help create awareness for the Jasper County Animal Rescue League and Humane Society to help increase pet adoptions, generate important funding and encourage residents to consider volunteer opportunities at the shelter.

Pet show winners were determined by celebrity judge Chaz Allen, executive director of the Jasper County Economic Development Corporation and former Newton mayor. Pet show winners, all from Newton, were announced during a live remote radio broadcast by Energy 106.7. Category winners included:

• “Best of Show” — Sassy, a canine entered by Abby DeJong.

•“Best Owner-Pet Look-Alike” — Drew Madole and her dog, Lilly.

• “Best Costume” — Kota, a border collie/Brittany spaniel mix, entered by Jodie Hill.

•“Best Trick” — Joy, a miniature pig, entered by Dawn Bleeker.

• “Best Kissing Pet” — Jessie, a dilute calico cat, entered by Samantha Madole.

Winners received trophies, and all entrants received complimentary Hy-Vee gift cards and toys for their pets.

The weekend’s activities also included a JCARL pet display at Hy-Vee, and six shelter pets were adopted into new homes.

This week, Hy-Vee will continue its “Paws for a Cause” fundraising campaign to benefit the JCARL’s general operating expenses. Through Sunday, Hy-Vee cashiers will sell paper “paws” at the register for a $1 customer donation. If the 2,012 paw sales goal is met, Hy-Vee will contribute an additional $250 to the shelter.

For more information on donation, adoption and volunteering opportunities, contact the JCARL at (641) 792-5407 or visitwww.jcarl.org.