Muttfest returns to Starlight Ranch May 19
The Starlight Ranch held a news conference Thursday for the Amarillo Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) 30th annual Muttfest, which will take place at the event center on May 19 from noon to 5 p.m.
This will be the fourth year the event will be held at the Starlight Ranch after it became too big for its previous venue. Muttfest is a family-oriented, free festival with vendors, food contests, low-cost vaccinations and many other events that people can bring their friendly and leashed dogs to enjoy. The local band Touching Voodoo will perform from about 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. There will also be a silent auction and an exclusive Muttfest T-shirt.
“It is a fun event to enjoy with your pets where everybody can just have a good time," Nell Williams, co-chair of the Muttfest committee and ASPCA member, said. “We are glad that Bobby Lee has provided this venue with enough space to make this a momentous event. We literally overran the park, and there is enough room for vendors here.”
There will be a mini-golf tournament with a $15 entry fee. Some of the proceeds will go back to the ASPCA, and the best score will receive a prize. Anyone playing golf on this day will also be entered into a drawing for a $200 prize.
Patti Amador, a member of the Muttfest committee and an ASPCA volunteer, also spoke about the event.
“This is our biggest fundraiser of the year. This event has grown over the years, and while we do other things throughout the year, this is by far our most important fundraiser to support our animals,” Amador said. “We could not have made this happen without our sponsors, who support us. We have had the number of vendors grow so much through the years. This event brings us much-needed funding to support our mission, because we receive no state or federal funds. Our community supports our mission.”
According to Amador, the ASPCA supports about 54 medium and large dogs with about 25 smaller dogs. The ASPCA also takes care of about 40 cats at a time.
“We are full most of the time, and we try to take as many as we can to get them into good homes,” she said. "We are solely funded by the community."
Last year, Muttfest raised about $19,000. Food, cleaning supplies, and other pet supplies are also appreciated.
“That was our biggest year, and we hope to bring in more this year,” Amador said. "We always look for and need donations of all kinds. We accept donations of all kinds, but monetary donations are certainly helpful because they help us keep our doors open. We have a mission, but this event allows people to have fun with their pets while also contributing to a worthy cause. Seeing all the different people and their dogs is just a fun experience.”
Bobby Lee, co-owner of the Starlight Ranch, spoke about how Muttfest aligns with his mission of serving the community.
“We do a lot of different nonprofit stuff all year, but this is the one event that makes me smile the most,” Lee said. "I love this event the most; I have more fun with it than any other one that we do. Anything and everything related to pet care will be here, and people will walk in with their dogs and just have a fun time.”
“My wife and I are animal lovers, and when the opportunity came up, it was a no-brainer,” he said about hosting the fundraiser. “This event makes for a good marriage to help a great cause. We are big supporters of the ASPCA. They do a lot of good for these animals.”
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Starlight Ranch to host Muttfest, ASPCA annual fundraiser, May 19
