The recent H.A.L.O. Howls event hosted by Indian River Shores Public Safety to benefit the H.A.L.O. No-Kill Rescue had something for everyone – adults, children and some very well-behaved pups.
For the humans, there were thrills and chills at a haunted house inside the Station House, hayrides, American Gold Star Mothers and Salvation Army booths, vendors selling handcrafted items in the Community Center, food trucks and raffles. There was also a costume contest for children and pooches alike.
“We’ve had a relationship with H.A.L.O over the last two or three years,” said Shores Chief of Police Rich Rosell. “We used to foster dogs in police and fire headquarters and we’re going to start doing that again shortly.”
He said that the fall event got its start in 2019 when H.A.L.O. had paired Indian River Shores Public Safety employees with adorable rescues for its Rescue Me Calendar, and someone suggested having a Halloween celebration.
“When we were talking about it, we thought we could do a great haunted police station,” said Rosell. “Last year was COVID so we couldn’t do it, but we couldn’t wait to do it again this year.”
Calling it a group effort, he said they met over the past few months to decide what improvements they wanted to make and, as staff is on site 24 hours a day, they were able to put it together in about two days.
“We love partnering with this team of wonderful people who work at the Shores,” said Jacque Petrone, H.A.L.O. founder/executive director. “It’s just a fun event to get the community together, get some animals adopted and do some scary stuff together.”
Three of their many adoptable dogs were eliciting lots of puppy love, and one sweet girl, Bush, endeared herself into an adoption.
She and Rosco, another sweetie, had been transferred from Okeechobee Animal Control, which Petrone said gets a lot of abandoned dogs.
There was also heartbreakingly lovable Hazel, affectionately giving doggie kisses to humans and other pups. Hazel has a spinal condition that has affected her rear legs, but clearly not her disposition.
“She came from the Bahamas, said Marina Harvey.
“They fell in love with her and wanted to give her a better chance.”
Petrone said they still hope to expand their Sebastian facility with a 5,000-square-foot Enrichment Center, next door on land they purchased a while back. However, the unavailability of building supplies has stymied their plans.
“The cost of the building materials is so high right now our builder isn’t even bidding. We’re hoping that if life goes as planned, we can start construction the end of next year,” said Petrone.
In addition to providing more space for rescues, plans call for an indoor training facility, a therapy swimming pool, and classroom space to hold CPR, animal first aid and training classes.
“We’re trying to work hard at helping people keep pets in homes,” said Petrone.
Unfortunately, while adoptions and fosters were high during the pandemic, when people were staying home, it has been a struggle this year, with people back to work or transitioning between jobs. “There’s a lot going on in the world right now, and pets, unfortunately, take a backseat a lot of times,” said Petrone.
On Dec. 4, H.A.L.O. will host the fundraiser, Love At First Bite at Rock City Gardens. For more information, visit halorescuefl.org.
Photos provided
