MANSFIELD, Ohio — Linda Sexton could hardly contain her excitement Saturday during the 13th annual Strutt Your Mutt Canine Festival at the Richland County Fairgrounds.
“This is like Christmas for me,” she said.
An employee of the Humane Society of Richland County, Sexton said it’s neat to reunite with dogs who were once housed in the humane society and have since been adopted.
“It’s really a blessing to see how they’ve progressed from what they were before versus now, she said.
“I love seeing them happy.”
And there were plenty of happy, tail-wagging dogs at the festival, which offered activities like the “Happy Tails Parade,” dog talent and costume contests, a dog walk-a-thon, among others.
The Strutt Your Mutt festival serves not only as a fun event for families and their canine companions to enjoy, but it’s also the Humane Society of Richland County’s biggest fundraiser.
Missy Houghton, director of the Humane Society of Richland County, said proceeds go into the humane society’s general operations fund. “Basically, that covers the expenses of running the shelter, as well as medical needs…We cover a wide variety of injuries and illnesses so we’re constantly in need of funds for that,” she said.
Each year, they hope to exceed last year’s total, “so if we can make between $16 and $18,000, that would be great,” she said.
“But that is just a one-month budget for us,” she noted. “Every month the shelter operates in the red, so we really need the funds to keep us afloat.”
She said additional sponsors have agreed to help financially support the humane society this year.
“It’s really great for us to see the businesses and individuals in the community backing us,” she said.
She echoed Sexton’s sentiments, saying, “We love seeing dogs that people have adopted from us at this event.”
One that she highlighted was a pit bull named Nolan.
“Nolan was adopted from us and he had a prolapsed rectum, his teeth were filed down…it’s great for us to see him healthier now.”
Hallie Elliott of Mansfield adopted Nolan about four years ago, she said. “He’s the most amazing dog,” she commented.
Houghton said seeing the improved conditions of the adopted dogs, “reminds us that this is why we do what we do, so we can see them like this [happy and healthy].”
To learn how to help support the Humane Society of Richland County, visit their website.
