Going to the dogs

PAWS & More Animal Shelter in Washington will be one of eight animal shelters in Iowa that will host a Facebook Live fundraiser this week.

Social media influencer Kris Rotonda, founder of Jordan's Way Charities, will host the livestream event from PAWS from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Wednesday.

'This is a unique opportunity,” PAWS Director Amber Talbot said. 'We've never done a social media event like this.”

Rotonda set a goal to host livestream fundraisers for shelters in all 50 states this year.

During a Friday livestream promotion for his Iowa stops this week, Rotonda said that he helped raise more than $78,000 for eight shelters in Nebraska over four days last week.

He said he brings a lot of energy and passion to his fundraising events, with various stunts like pies in the face, ice bucket challenges and a bailout game.

Talbot said that the PAWS staff is working on a number of ideas for Wednesday's event.

'(Washington) Mayor Jaron Rosien is coming,” she said. 'The police chief is going to get locked in a kennel, and we'll ask for donations to bail him out.

Other ideas they are considering are dog treat taste tests and pet food blind smell tests.

'Our staff has been brainstorming different ideas,” Talbot said.

The goal is to raise $5,000 for the shelter, and a donation link is already active on the PAWS & More Facebook page.

Rotonda said that he started his charity, Jordan's Way, because his dog, Jordan died from cancer.

'She was the best dog I ever came in contact with,” he said. 'She was just a sweetheart. She came from a shelter for three years.

'I always said that one day I was going to do something about it. I have a lot of energy and a lot of passion, and I'm doing something about it.”

He began doing livestream fundraisers from various shelters to raise money and awareness of the shelters.

'We're trying to raise as much money as possible in four hours,” Rotonda said. 'When I come to communities, my biggest message is, ‘Support your local shelters.'”

While the livestream lasts four hours, people can still donate after it is finished.

'After I leave the shelters, the fundraiser keeps going,” Rotonda said.

Talbot said that the fundraiser could give a big boost to PAWS.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced the shelter to cancel several of its fundraisers over the past year.

Talbot said that they have had a higher than usual number of animals needing extensive medical care this year.

'This will help pay for a lot of those medical bills,” she said.

The livestream will be on the PAWS & More Facebook page as well as the Jordan's Way Facebook page.

Talbot said she encourages business and individuals to share the livestream on Facebook as well.