Waggin' for Wheels Raises About $6,000 for a New Avon/Canton Animal Control Vehicle

Miller Foods Inc. and Mitchell Auto Group raised about $2,600 Saturday at Waggin' for Wheels to help with the purchase of a new animal control vehicle -- a 2011 Dodge Caravan.

Local dog lovers brought their canines to a morning 1.4-mile walk on the Fisher Meadows trail and to a canine festival in the field by Miller Foods in Avon.

The van, which would serve the towns of Avon and Canton, is not included in the 2011-12 budget, and costs $20,000. 

About $2,400 was previously raised in private donations, as well, bringing the total to about $6,000.

While Waggin' for Wheels did not raise the full amount, attendees and their dogs had the opportunity to socialize Saturday and get massages for dogs and humans, eat food from the people or canine menus, listen to live music and participate in a raffle with prizes from local vendors.

Capri Frank, project manager, said that it may take six to nine months to reach the $20,000 fundraising goal, and Avon/Canton Animal Control Officer Beverly LaPlume previously told Patch that there may be another similar event to raise money in the fall.  LaPlume said she hopes to have the new vehicle by the wintertime.