Animals and gardens are Karen Hurndell's passions so she decided to combine them to help two Whanganui charitable organisations.
The Rescued Animal Garden Ramble was held at Hurndell's Cathro Rd property on Sunday, March 10, to support ARAN (Animal Rescue Action Network) and Precious Paws Paradise cat rescue.
Visitors could bring their well-behaved dogs and wander around Hurndell's extensive garden, paying their entry by gold coin or cat food or dog toys.
"These organisations totally rely on donations - they get no funding from anywhere," Hurndell said.
"I love animals and gardening so I decided to combine them to help with donations."
Wendy Ward, co-founder of ARAN Animal Rescue, said the organisation was set up in Taumarunui about six or seven years ago to rescue impounded dogs.
"So many are beautiful family dogs that can be rehomed," Ward said.
Ward and her co-founder rescued about 400 dogs while they were based in Taumarunui and, coincidentally, both now live in Whanganui. ARAN is now a national dog rescue network.
"We will take any dog," Ward said.
"Very occasionally it doesn't work out but we will give it a go. They go to homes all over New Zealand, though mostly in the North Island.
"We have amazing volunteers. One man drives from Wellington regularly to pick up dogs that are going to be fostered in Wellington and rehomed from there. There's a lot of work involved in organising transport for the dogs."
ARAN is looking for volunteers who are willing to transport dogs to Taumarunui, Auckland or Wellington. Anyone interested can contact Wendy Ward on 021 0858 3665.
Mary Lou Nation, who runs Precious Paws Paradise, fosters dumped, abandoned and unwanted cats and kittens and finds them forever homes.
Sunday's event included a raffle of items donated by Vets on Carlton and animal beds from Mitre 10.
People who would like to assist ARAN or Precious Paws can make donations at Vets on Carlton, Hurndell said.
By Sue Dudman
Whanganui Chronicle 11/3/19