www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, May 1, 2014 | 24 Dog Rescuers hold fiesta to help Clara of Mexico by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff People can have fun and save a dog's life Friday (May 2) as Oakville's Dog Rescuers Inc. hosts its Cinco De Mayo Fiesta fundraiser at Bronte Sports Kitchen, 2544 Speers Rd. It runs 7:30 p.m. -1 p.m. and features a Mexican buffet, live auction and a mariachi band. Admission costs $20 with proceeds going to pay vet bills incurred by Dog Rescuers Inc. The non-profit, Oakville-based organization rescues and re-homes dogs who have been abused and abandoned or whose owners have suffered a change in their personal life and can no longer keep them. Co-founder Joan Znidarec said the theme of Friday's event was chosen because of the work the group does in Mexico. "For a couple of years now we have actually helped out with rescues down in Mexico and every year, we have taken in a couple of Mexican street dogs that we have rehabbed and placed into new homes," she said. "This past February, we participated in a rescue and brought three dogs back." Znidarec said one of these dogs, named Clara, was being taunted by a group of children who were hitting her with sticks and stones. When Clara growled at them a man tied her to a post and severely beat her. She was rescued when a local veterinarian, passing by, intervened. Znidarec acknowledged there are plenty of animals in Canada that need help, but said the situation for dogs in places like Mexico is dire and Dog Rescuers Inc., helps where it can. "Places like this, where the mentality is so different, you don't have an adoption pool to draw from. These are dogs that are abused, neglected -- in Mexico, sometimes people chase them with machetes," said Znidarec. "We're not opening the floodgates and saying `We are taking every Mexican dog,` but we have a small margin and we always leave it open for dogs at a global level." The dog rescuer said her organization saves 120-150 dogs annually and is now caring for 16 dogs housed in foster homes across Oakville. The dogs will be offered for adoption once their rehabilitation is complete. The group is run by volunteers and receives no government grants for the work they do. Dog Rescuers Inc. is always on the lookout for additional foster homes and donations so it can expand its reach. Tickets for the fiesta are available at the door or by calling 416-567-6249 or emailing thedogrescuersinc@gmail.com. For more information, visit www.thedogrescuersinc.com. Open Your Home & Hearts to a Student From Spain This Summer Red Leaf Student Program needs families in Oakville and Burlington to host a Student from Spain in July. Students attend classes and activities Monday to Friday. Remuneration of 700 /4 weeks paid to host families. $ 00 HOST FAMILIES NEEDED! CRAFT SHOW MAY 3RD & MAY 4TH Great Food Live Entertainment Over 120 juried crafts people In the Great Gambrel Barn, The Aberfoyle Town Hall and Individual Exhibitor Tents AT: The Milton Farm Saturday & Sunday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Adults $6.00 Children Under 12 FREE Parking FREE Great Gift Ideas for Mom Handmade Quality COUNTRY HERITAGE PARK Take Hwy. 25 North to Milton & follow the signs. Veronica 905-637-0879 For more information 8560 Tremaine Road 905-878-8151 $ OB www.miltonfarmcraftshows.com ONE ADMISSION WITH THIS AD 1 OFF at 54 Evergreens, Flowering Shrubs & Fruit Trees 25% Growers of quality plants since 1960 OFF · Annuals · Perennials · Shrubs · Evergreens · Rose Bushes · Cacti & Succulents · Tropical Plants · Houseplants · Bonsai · Orchids · Soil & More 4" Succulents Over 30 Varieties to Choose From 4" Herbs 4 for $ Spring Bulb Packages Dahlia, Gladiolus, Iris Lilies & More! 3 for $ reg $4.99 ea 10 10 3 for $ 10 Tropical Jasmine $ Plant Support Trellis, Shepherd Hooks, Tomato Cages & More! Large 1 Gallon Pot reg $19.99 ea 15 20 % OFF 50% $ reg $19.99 ea OFF 9.50 it's gardening time grow row with us 5558 Trafalgar Rd Between Britannia Rd. & Eglinton Ave./Lower Base Line 30" Black Window Box Trafalgar Rd. MILTON Hwy. #401 MISSISSAUGA Britannia Rd. Eglinton Ave. 5558 Trafalgar Road Hornby, ON (5 mins. north of Hwy. #5) Hwy. #5 OAKVILLE Sale starts: May 1st - 7th, 2014 Hours: Monday-Friday 9am - 8pm Saturday & Sunday 8am - 6pm www.jadegardens.com 905-878-0722 Lots of other in-house specials