Several representatives of businesses involved with an awareness campaign titled “Save DOGPAW Off-Leash Parks” stand with plaques bearing examples of commemorative coasters used as a part of the campaign. From now until June 6, locals can collect all eight for a chance at prizes in an effort to make the public aware of the need for funding the nonprofit to make and maintain off-leash areas for Dogs in Clark County.
What’s causing a restaurant, a landscaping business, a mobile vet and a bank to take part in a countywide hunt for “treasure” in the form of commemorative coasters?
Support for a local nonprofit dedicated to bringing and keeping off-leash dog parks in Clark County is needed, group officials say, and group members and the businesses officially kicked off an awareness campaign to help “Save DOGPAW.”
Eight businesses from the area are sponsoring the event, which began in earnest with a kickoff at Mill Creek Pub, one of the sponsors, on April 25. Business representatives received more than 2,000 coasters each. They will be used as part of the search that seeks to make people aware of what DOGPAW does.
The need for more awareness about the group stems from its current crisis — DOGPAW needs funding to keep going. The all-volunteer group oversees four off-leash dog parks in the county, costing about $60,000 annually, according to information from the group. This year, the group is trying to hit $100,000 to help it continue on its mission.
Officials with the group say the awareness campaign is meant to combat misconceptions about what the group does and what local governments do not.
DOGPAW Vice President of Operations Mark Watson said the biggest issue is people not understanding how the parks are funded. Although there are some off-leash areas in the county that are maintained by local governments (Ridgefield’s relatively new park being an example, though DOGPAW did help on getting it started), the four maintained by DOGPAW are exclusively funded through the group, not through the county or other municipalities — “totally funded by memberships, donations and community support,” he said.
“The whole purpose of this is, one, of course, to raise money to keep these parks running, and to bring awareness to the public to let them know these are not funded by the county,” Watson said.
Valerie Hooks, a consultant helping the group with its campaign, mentioned that the managed parks receive roughly 5,000 to 7,000 visitors a week, with more in the warmer months. Of those individuals, only about 10 percent pay into the DOGPAW membership of $25 annually, with what money the group gets, it keeps those parks open.
The $100,000 goal would be enough to keep DOGPAW alive with some breathing room before looking at ways to expand its funding for more parks, Hooks said.
“The organization itself needs to get healthy, and that’s what this (fundraiser) is hopefully going to do for them,” Hooks said.
Hooks said each business involved has its own unique coasters, spurring members of the public to hop around the county to those businesses or special events that are part of the campaign to collect them all.
Several of the coasters feature images of past K9 officers who died in the line of duty serving local law enforcement offices, each bearing the name of one park maintained by DOGPAW as part of the group’s recognition of the canines’ service.
The coasters themselves don’t cost anything; however, sponsoring businesses may have specials tied in with the event. In some cases, restaurants have undertaken cash back days where a portion of customers’ bills will be donated to the organization.
Those who collect all eight of the coasters are eligible for prizes, Hooks said. Although all the prizes have yet to be confirmed (with Hooks adding that there’s still time for would-be prize sponsors) she gave a few examples, such as free macaroni and cheese for a year from Mill Creek Pub, or plants and other landscaping items.
Although “dog people” are likely supporters to the canine-oriented group, Hooks stressed that a community having ample access to off-leash parks like the four DOGPAW runs benefits all those residents, not simply those with their own animals.
“Even if you aren’t a dog person and you personally may hate your neighbor’s dog because he barks all the time, you want your neighbor to take their dog to the dog park to get them to run and play and get all their energy out so they stop barking all the time,” Hooks said.
On top of that, the interactive nature in the pursuit of prizes should prove to be fun for anyone who likes a good countywide adventure.
“Who doesn’t love a treasure hunt, right?” Hooks remarked.
