Saturday is a DAWG's day

Retired Douglas County Animal Control Officer Nancee Goldwater has put wayward dogs behind bars for 30 years but it will be payback time when Goldwater will be behind bars at the third annual It's a DAWG's Day animal awareness event, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Douglas County Fairgrounds.

Unlike her jail mates who will solicit donations to be bailed out, the more donated in Goldwater's name, the longer she'll remain in the cage.

Other celebrities scheduled to join her include members of the James Settelmeyer family, County Commissioner Kelly Kite, community volunteer Cindy Peterson, radio/TV personality Lloyd Higuera, businessman Steve Weissinger, Jenney Sartin, director of Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Authority and former Chamber Director Skip Sayre.

Fluffy, the Douglas Animal Welfare Group's mascot, will also be trying to bark his way out of confinement.

The dog pound is one of the events planned for It's a DAWG's Day. There will be a silent auction featuring overnight stays at casino hotels, gourmet dinners, manicures, golfing, gift baskets, a glider ride and more.

An onsite microchip clinic offers pet owners the chance to have microchips implanted in their four-legged friends for $30, which includes the registration fee that DAWG will send directly to the nationwide database. The microchips can be used to locate the owners of found dogs.

A low-cost vaccination clinic will also be featured.

DAWG, in cooperation with the Douglas County Animal Shelter will show some of the dogs up for adoption at the county's shelter.

Pet photography, a pet psychic, entertainment books, food, vendors with animal and pet-related goods, DAWG logo items, a raffle and door prizes will be featured. Vendors include Adele's, Max's Pet Supplies and Gifts and Sierra Nevada Trading Co. and music will be provided by DJ Dona J. Baxter.

Funds raised will benefit the animals at the Douglas County Animal Shelter on Pinenut Road, across from the fairgrounds.

DAWG is a nonprofit volunteer organization established to better the lives of animals in Douglas County. Volunteers help with pet adoptions and work with the county by walking dogs and loving cats at the shelter every day of the year.

For information, contact DAWG at 267-7325 or www.dawgrescue.com.