Community Corner

Doggie Calendar to Raise Funds for Woodbridge Animal Shelter

Adopted pups get in front of the camera to help out the shelter.

Owners who have adopted dogs from the Woodbridge Animal Shelter submitted their pups to be featured in the 2014 Dog Days calendar to raise funds for the shelter.

Photographer Jill Caren, local Woodbridge businesses and the shelter worked together to create the fundraising contest. Caren will photograph the winning dogs at businesses around town to be featured in the calendar, which will sell for $20 starting at the end of the September.

The community was very supportive of the project, according to Caren.

“The calendar is meant to be a way to bring the community together, to do something fun and for a good cause,” Caren said. 

Kristen Ehlers, a volunteer for the shelter, explained that the expenses for shelter animals are not covered by the township. Volunteers cover everything from surgeries and treatments to fencing for play yards.

"Raising money through various fundraisers is essential to the survival of many of the animals," Elhers explained. "We do this to supplement what the township is unable to fund, which allows us to save and place or adopt out all adoptable animals that come through our doors!."

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The contest featured three categories based on size of dog, bullies, big dogs and lap dogs. 36 dogs were entered in the contest and 750 voted for their favorite.

“I am thrilled with the response considering it was a first year run!” she expressed.

Ehlers added that the calendar is a wonderful opportunity to highlight local businesses in the Woodbridge community, as well as showcase the animals.

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"Although we many times see the worst in people when animals arrive at the shelter, our adopters are the other end of the sprectrum!," she expressed. "This calendar provides a venue for them to show off the success stories... animals that were once abandoned, abused, neglected, unwanted get their 15 minutes of fame!"

Winners include: Bullies – Neko, Lily, Ginger, Holtzie and Bear/Candy, Big Dogs – Charley, Journey, Mia, Suzy Q and Shelby, Lap Dogs – Max, Pup with Seal, Lily and Murphy.

Businesses who are participating: Welstead Landscaping, Woodbridge Pool & Ski, Physical Features, Locker Room Sports, Knot Just Bagels, Access Self Storage, Comfort Balance, NJ Limo King, Balance Yoga NJ, EyeStyles, Dillon Music, REO Diner, Barron Arts Center and Bark Avenue.

Calendars will be sold at each business and online.

Each pets personality will play a large part in where the photo-shoot will happen, Caren told Patch.

“I am in the process of coming up with ideas for the photo sessions and hope to be able to make them whimsical enough to get a laugh from the viewer of the calendar,” she stated. “This will require a little help from our models, so their personalities will play a big part in where they will have their session.

Caren is also accepting submissions from Woodbridge Animal Shelter alumni for images of their pets to be featured on a special dedication page. If interested, send submissions to jill@jillcarenphoto.com and include the pets name and date adopted from the shelter.


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