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Festival of Lights Fundraiser Needs Sponsors

Jessica Bair/SUNCOAST

ANIMAL AIDE Cassie Matthies, 21, staff member of SPCA Suncoast, takes 2-year-old Honey, a German shepherd-pit bull terrier mix, on a walk through the front yard of the SPCA shelter on Congress Street, in New Port Richey. The nonprofit organization is now looking for sponsors for its Howliday Festival of Lights fundraiser, to be held in December. The SPCA has been having financial troubles.

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By Jessica  Bair | The Suncoast News

Published: October 20, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. - NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. - After a series of recent fundraising events to help keep the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Suncoast shelter open, the local SPCA unit will hold a new holiday event to continue their efforts.

The "Howliday Festival of Lights" fundraiser, sponsored by Animal Planet Pet Video, will be held Friday, Nov. 30, 5 p.m., at the shelter, 7734 Congress St.

There will be a grand lighting ceremony at 6 p.m.

The SPCA Suncoast, however, is looking for local business sponsorship for their feline and furry friends event.

The nonprofit organization is asking for local businesses to become an event sponsor or simply sponsor a kennel starting this November.

"The SPCA has really been through some rough times," says Traci Theis, director of shelter relations for Animal Planet Pet Video. "The community has not been very involved so we really want to raise awareness and raise some much needed funds."

The community is encouraged to show their Howliday spirit by sponsoring a single set of lights for a donation of $10 each, or an adoptable dog or cat kennel for $100 each.

Individuals sponsoring a cute kitty or lovable canine, will also have a placard with the donor's name that will hang on the animal's kennel, each decorated with strands of Christmas lights, explains Theis.

Opportunities for donations up to $2,500 for the shelter's feline living area, dubbed Kitty Kabana, or its canine quarters are also available for local businesses and companies, says Lia Gallegos, a spokesperson. A banner will be displayed in the respective area with the company's name.

A Christmas tree in the SPCA lobby area can also be recognized through donations.

The kick-off event will also hold an open house with tours of the grounds, an adopt-a-thon with gift certificates for adoptions, free Animal Planet pet ID tags customized with the pet's name and donation drive until 8 p.m.

With each donation, sponsors will also receive a free "Cat Sitter" or "Dog Sitter" DVD, compliments of Animal Planet. Volunteers will be on hand throughout the month to accept donations.

The holiday lights will be on every night between Nov. 30 and Dec. 30. This will give the community the opportunity to enjoy the festive display and possibly donate an item from the SPCA's animal wish list.

For sponsorship information visit the SPCA Suncoast Web site, www.spcasuncoast.org, or contact Traci Theis at 727-643-3647.

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