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'Dog wash' fundraiser slated for Sunday
STORY TOOLS 
More from Conejo ValleyA Conejo Valley pet food store owner who ferries and finds homes for abandoned dogs from the Kern County Animal Shelter is holding a "used dog wash" fundraiser on Sunday.
For a donation of any size, dog owners can get their pets washed by members of the Ventura County 4-H Club and Thousand Oaks Girl Scout Troop 60565 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Newbury Park Feed, 67 N. Reino Road, Newbury Park. The young dog groomers will be supervised by a professional dog groomer from Thousand Oaks.
Since March 2007, feed store owner Josh Pasewaldt has been making six-hour round-trips to Bakersfield and transporting unwanted cats, puppies and small-breed dogs back to his feed store in Newbury Park. There, he puts the animals on display and adopts them out to people who pay the $60 adoption fee for dogs or the $40 fee for cats.
Since he began his project, Pasewaldt has found homes for 1,065 dogs and 375 cats. Pasewaldt began the project when he heard of high euthanasia rates at the Kern County shelter.
According to Denise Haynes, the divisional chief of Kern County Animal Control, about 70 animals a week have to be euthanized, compared with 10 a week at Ventura County Animal Regulation's shelter in Camarillo. Haynes attributes the larger numbers to Kern County's lower socioeconomic levels and high population.
Pasewaldt said the fundraiser is to help him purchase an air-conditioned trailer to transport the animals, which is state law. "I've got no heartburn with that, but it will cost me," Pasewaldt, 28, said.
Climbing gasoline rates have been an obstacle, too, especially now that he drives a large pickup truck to pull the trailer he hopes to purchase.
There will be raffles and hot dogs, and a dog trainer will be on hand to answer questions. There will also be a shot clinic for dogs that need vaccinations updated. For more information, call 498-2412.
Posted by SUNNY on June 28, 2008 at 9:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We need more people like Josh!! Way to go!!
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