(Click on photos to enlarge)

Photos provided by LaPorte County Small Animal Shelter

   On Sept. 25, 2010, the ASPCA and Maurice’s clothing store joined forces for the second annual Rescues and Runways event. In 2009, 656 Maurice’s stores across the county partnered with shelters in their communities to promote adoption and showcase adoptable pets by holding fashion shows (with human and canine models!), food and pet supply drives, silent auctions and fundraisers.

   This year, our local Maurice’s (at Lighthouse Place outlet mall in Michigan City) tchose the LaPorte County Small Animal Shelter and the Michiana Humane Society to participate in the event.

   Preparing for the event was a little bit of a challenge, to say the least! Both the LaPorte and Michiana shelters were allowed to bring five animals. So we spent the day before bathing and grooming the animals we were taking. We also practiced walking the dogs so they would get a feel for what they would be doing. Models we are NOT, but we sure had fun getting ready!

   The day of the show was a bit chilly (we held it in the outdoor plaza at Lighthouse), but we had fun and I truly believe the animals enjoyed it, too. The pictures show it …

   The staff at Maurice’s did an awesome job planning the event, and the human models did great with the animals. Best of all, several animals were adopted from the event, so success was achieved. Thanks, Maurice’s!

   Paws till next time — Jane

JANE BERNARD is director of the LaPorte County Small Animal Shelter. Visit the shelter at 2855 W. Ind. 2; hours are Monday, Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Or call 326-1637. To view pets available for adoption at the shelter, visit http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/IN89.html.