NEW CASTLE Cascade canines: party for pooches

Proceeds will benefit the pet adoption and education center the group is building.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Tails will be wagging Saturday as pooches take over Cascade Park.
Fun and games for Fido and his owner are all part of the third Canines in the Cascades, the annual fund-raiser for Promises for Pets, a nonprofit, no-kill humane and education association.
Contests range from the loudest barker to the best pet costume and will feature some "celebrity" judges: news anchor Kelly Frey from WTAE-TV Pittsburgh, Lawrence County Commissioner Brian Burick and veterinarian Dr. Robert Maro.
Pet communicator
Attendees can even find out what their dog is thinking, for a donation. Victoria Summers, a pet communicator, will be doing a session every 15 minutes for a $25 fee. An American Indian, Summers is affiliated with the Ohio American Indian Council. Proceeds will go to its Adopt a Friend Pet Rescue group.
Summers says she has always had the ability to communicate with animals, but she is not a psychic.
"I can't predict the future. I'm not a mind reader. What I do is listen on a level that average people don't use because they have been taught not to," she said.
Pets need not be present. Summers says she can work from photographs as long as the eyes can be seen and there is no red reflection.
Other donations can be made to Promises for Pets through pledges for the walk or participating in other games.
Red shoe
"Chew-a-Shoe" will probably be one of the few times pooches will be encouraged to gnaw on shoes. The winner, the one who retrieves a red shoe from the pile, will get a prize. There is also a cat photo contest.
The fun will benefit Promises for Pets programs and the new adoption and education center.
The group announced in the spring that it is leasing 10 acres off Old Princeton Road in Slippery Rock Township to house homeless pets.
Josephine Wilson, board president, said an architect is working on plans to renovate a block and brick building that will serve as the temporary center. A new building will eventually be built.
Wilson said they are looking for monetary and in-kind donations. The building needs some new windows, flooring and other things. They aren't sure how much it will cost yet and the opening will depend on donations, she said.
The organization does continue to operate a foster home program for pets and offers several programs, including a low-cost spay and neuter program for low-income pet owners.
Kennel and park
Plans for the new facility include a kennel and grooming building as well as a dog park.
The land is being leased from Human Services Center of New Castle. HSC is building a short-term treatment facility for youths ages 8 to 17. The youths will be encouraged to interact with the pets as part of treatment, Wilson said.