Animal lovers are invited to help raise funds for a puppy found abandoned and intentionally burned at 8 weeks old, from 5:30-8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25 at the Milano Inn, 231 S. College Ave.
The “Dollars for Dempsey” event will include a silent auction, live music and delicious homemade Italian cuisine on the patio where dogs are welcome to attend. Ten percent of all sales for the evening will help fund eight to 10 surgeries needed to reconstruct Dempsey’s feet.
T-shirts will also be available with $5 of each sale going directly toward Dempsey’s Burn Fund. Guests need to RSVP by calling the Milano Inn at 317.264.3585 to make a reservation.
Dempsey, named after the heavyweight boxer Jack Dempsey, was rescued from a New Castle alley in May 2011 with severe burns to his feet, leaving him with hardly any paw pads, no toenails and the loss of part of his tail.
The boxer mix not only suffered from third-degree burns, but also contracted the Parvovirus while his wounds were healing. Shortly after his recovery, he was adopted by Eileen Orban, the public educator for Pike Township Fire Department, and has spent the past year traveling to schools and burn camps to educate children on the dangers of fire.
Upon turning 1 year old earlier this year, the near 100-pound dog joined the Indianapolis Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center’s (IVR/IVEC) canine blood donor program to give back to other pets in need. Each unit he donates on a monthly basis saves two to four pets.
IVR/IVEC has partnered with 11 area veterinary clinics within its referral program to help collect donations to assist with Dempsey’s medical bills, along with Barkefellers in Greenwood. IVR/IVEC will not only perform his surgeries, but will match each dollar raised, hoping for $10,000.
For more information on “Dollars for Dempsey,” log on www.indyvet.com or call 317.782.4484.
