A Crafty Way to Save Puppies

Puerto Rico, go ahead and Google it. Metacrawl all over it. You'll find that it is a tiny island about the size of Connecticut. You'll view loads of pictures of the bluest water, lush palm trees, and beautiful cultural events. Ok, now look up Barceloneta, Puerto Rico. You'll find headlines that scream "Pet Massacre" and "Animal Cruelty". (See http://nytimes.com/2008/03/09/us/09dogs.html) Bet you weren't expecting that.

Unfortunately acts of animal cruelty are not a rare occurrence in any part of Puerto Rico. For example, in October of 2007 over 80 pets from a low income housing development were seized. Owners were told there was now a no pets allowed rule. Dogs and cats would be placed in a shelter and await adoption. Instead the beloved pets were thrown off bridges to their deaths. This act brought about global attention. People began protesting Puerto Rican tourism.
Heading west to Yabucoa, P. R. and you'll find a place called Dead Dog Beach. Dogs poisoned by locals and hoteliers litter the beach, ridding them of these unwanted street dogs or Satos as they are known in Spanish. You'll also see dogs sliced by machetes or who've had hot oil poured on them, or have simply died of mange and starvation help to give this beach it's namesake. Sadly, these stories go on and on.
The island only has about 7 animal shelters that service the entire region. Euthanasia rates are at 98% since these shelters receive close to 100 unwanted dogs a day.

In March I took a trip to Puerto Rico. I must have seen 50 strays while visiting. I'm still haunted by the number of dogs that need help. I was able to save one. A little Bichon Frise who had been kept in a tiny dark hole who had obviously been neglected. But this just wasn't enough to sooth my breaking heart. Upon my arrival home I contacted my long time friend CT Etsy Team leader, Jillian Lyons aka Ms. Kitty Fantastico, to please use her gifts to organize a fund raiser. So here we are , and more importantly, here YOU are.

We have created a small grass roots organization called Project: Puppy. Our goal is to raise as much money as possible to help get as many of these dogs healthy, kenneled and adopted. We are working in conjunction with The Amigos de los Animales out of Puerto Rico, our contact being Elizabeth Kracht, director of The Amigos. ( http://www.amigosdelosanimalespr.org )

On Sunday July 13th, our grass roots organization Project: Puppy will be holding an Indie Craft Show at The Space 295 Treadwell Street Hamden CT from 10 am - 3 pm. Free goody bags will be handed out to the first 150 attendees through the doors. We also have several raffle items that have graciously been donated by artists and small businesses from all over the world. Raffle tickets are available for only $1 each. There will also be a table representing our organization with hand crafted items from both myself and Ms. Kitty Fantastico as well as information on how you can further donate or get involved. The show will feature both artists from the Ct Etsy Team as well as local crafters, many of which will be donating some of their profits to our cause.
100% of our proceeds will be going to the search and rescue efforts of The Amigos.