The third annual Paddle for Paws Poker Float will take place on Sept. 21. This is a fundraising event to benefit Friends of the Jackson County Animal Shelter Pets (FJCASP), a 501c3 non-profit, non-government funded foster-based organization made up entirely of volunteers.
Registration for the Poker Float will begin at 9 a.m. at Lighthouse Park in Pascagoula with stops at River Park, Tiki Restaurant, Huck’s Cove, Brady’s Steakhouse. West Pascagoula River is also hosting a bonus water stop on Marsh Lake for all the paddlers and boaters. However, biking and driving is also an option for those who would prefer to stay on dry land. Participants can visit the stops in any order, then return to Lighthouse Park by 3 p.m. for the raffle drawing and Best Hand Award(s).
You can register for the event here. Registration is $35 and that includes a game card, 2 raffle tickets, a burger or shrimp po-boy from the Tiki, and an event T-shirt while supplies last. There will be prizes for best hands and a raffle. Additional game cards and raffle tickets can be purchased the day of the event.
Kayaks are available to rent for $10 for the day thanks to Adventure Locators. If someone wants to rent a kayak, they are encouraged to register online and select that option to guarantee a kayak will be available. Otherwise, it is first come-first serve.
About Friends of Jackson County Animal Shelter Pets:
In 2018, FJCASP volunteers rescued 435 dogs and cats, most of which came from the shelter in Gautier. Many of the animals taken in by the rescue group have some type of medical issue including URIs, UTIs, skin infections, injuries, mange, and heartworms to name a few. More than $78,000 was spent in 2018 on vetting, preventatives and other medical issues related to this type of work. All of these funds have to be raised through donations.
In addition, FJCASP initiated Paws Up Mississippi, a community outreach branch of the rescue that focuses on providing low-income pet owners in Jackson County with access to low-cost/no-cost basic vetting as well as other resources. This service is funded through a grant, that is applied for each year, from the Jack A. and Gertrude W. Wilson Animal Welfare Fund Gulf Coast Community Foundation. FJCASP has been able to provide these services to 280 low-income pets in 2017-2018.
For more information about FJCASP and the work that our volunteers do, please visit www.fjcasp.com or on facebook.
