Harrington Raceway and the Kent County SPCA in Delaware joined forces for a successful Pet Adoption Day on Sunday, October 11
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As part of the day, a pet food/donation drive was held in which patrons and horsemen brought bags of pet food. The response was overwhelming as a record total of more than 7,000 pounds was donated. Drivers Tony Morgan and Corey Callahan agreed to donate 25 cents for every pound. It was the most successful single community fundraiser the Kent County SPCA ever hosted.
“I won two races at Chester today; I guess it’s a good thing, I owe them (the KCSPCA) a lot of money,” Callahan said with a laugh. Callahan had 13 drives at Harrah’s Chester Casino and Racetrack near Philadelphia before leaving for Harrington, where he had two wins in 13 starts. His pledge of 25 cents per pound of food donated will cost nearly $1,800.
“I was lucky to grow up on a farm, so we always had cats and dogs around and now I live in a house with five dogs,” Callahan said. “I was happy to help today. How could you not?”
Lucky horseshoes were purchased throughout the evening as well, with all proceeds going to benefit the Kent County SPCA.
Harrington Raceway’s Director of Facilities Karen Craft along with Judy Davis-Wilson, executive director of the Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund, the USTA’s Ellen Harvey, and Murray Goldthwaite and Mary Ann D’Amato, both of the Kent County SPCA, were among many volunteers that helped spearhead the campaign.
Callahan and Heather Moffett, host of the popular local harness racing show Post Time, signed autographs.
“This is by far the biggest community event we’ve had outside of our annual banquet, where we have a big gift auction,” said Murray Goldthwaite, director of the Kent County SPCA. “We don’t get pet food donations like this at that event, though. Prior to this event, the largest amount of food gathered at one time on our behalf was maybe 1,000 pounds over a Christmas season. We rely on donated feed, plus we have a food pantry for people who may have been laid off from their jobs. We give them a 20 pound bag of food and inoculations to help them keep their pets.”
Four dogs, two cats and two birds got new homes as a result of the event.
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This story courtesy of Harness Racing Communications, a division of the U.S.
Trotting Association. For more information, visit www.ustrotting.com. *