Take Your Dog Rafting!!!
Outdoor Adventures is proud to host our third annual Charity Doggie Rafting event
on June 1, 2013 from 2pm until 6pm at our
Pigeon River outpost in Hartford TN.
Our outpost is within an hour from Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Asheville, and only 2 and half hours from Charlotte.
Humans and their favorite, well mannered canines
are invited to join us for this grand event. This is the only day in the year dogs
are allowed on our trips, so
make your reservation now!
Adults $25 donation, Dogs and Children $20 donation
A special section of the Lower Pigeon river has been designated for the event—it's
pretty much a short version of our normal Lower Pigeon river trip. Normal rate for our
full Lower Section is $39, so although this trip is a little shorter to accomodate more
guests and additional time of getting everyone (and their dogs) settled, it's a fantastic deal! Humans and their
dogs will be accompanied by a professional guide through a one hour ride across
mild white water. There will be lots of spots to float and relax, and, for your
more adventures dogs, places to get out and swim. Professional doggie life jackets
have been donated by NRS for use by all our
canine guests. And of course, we have life vests for the humans too.
Why are we doing this?
Owner/operator of Outdoor Adventure says:
"I love dogs and this area!! I got my current dog, Lexi (seen standing on edge
of raft in picture below) from the
Newport Animal Shelter and she is the best! If you've visited the outpost,
you've probably seen her curled up behind the desk; if not, you'll see her on June
4th for this event.
Folks in this area, and all of our great customers, have really helped business
to grow over the past 9 years. It's time to combine my passion for rafting and for
dogs and give back to the community. "
Owner/operator Jessica Booth with her dog Lexi (on left) and Office Manager/Raft
Guide Brooke with her dog Rocky (on right). They're out testing the waters for this
event.
This is some of the equipment we are hoping to purchase with the money raised at this event. Last year we purchased a solid stainless steel dog cage, but they still need additional supplies.
Why did we choose the Newport Animal Shelter?
The Newport Animal Shelter is a fantastic place full of great people. They have
an amazing staff, but unfortunately, could really use some new equipment. In particular,
they are desparate need of some new dog cages, and a new surgical table. Although
they accept donations of dog cages of any size and type, what they really want are
more solid steel industrial units. Those units run about $3,000, but can hold 5-6
dogs or even more depending on how they are configured. In addition, they have a
wonderful veterinarian, but really need an additional operating table to take full
advantage of her expertise. Currently, they only have one table, and they have the
space for another one; this would be of great benefit for when multiple animals
need surgery. The operating table plus accessories are over $2,000.
So, we are hoping to raise enough at this event to get them those items. Every dollar
raised will be going straight to the shelter-- not just a percentage— Outdoor
Adventures and other Corporate sponsors are donating all advertising and other related
expenses, such that all money raised at the event will go 100% to the shelter.
Whether you are planning to attend the event or not, any donation would be greatly
appreciated, and you can donate online by clicking the Donate button.
There are some smaller items that the shelter is always in need of—if you have
or would like to purchase these items yourself, you may bring them with you and drop them
off at the event.
- • Dog and cat shampoo
- • Cat litter
- • Stainless steel water/food bowls
- • Dog cages (all sizes, types)
- • Small new baby bottles for puppies and kittens
- • Canned dog food
About the shelter and what is needed, from the director Kelly McDaniels
The Newport Animal Shelter is an animal control facility, shelter for stray and
owner surrendered pets, as well as we have a rolling rescue program which sends
some of our animals to no kill shelters and rescues around the country so that we
euthanize less, as well as help with and provide various low income pet wellness
clinics, vaccination clinics, and spay/neuter clinics.
As to some of the items that the shelter is in need of, there are different items
needed for different departments. One item that is desperately needed is a bank
of stainless steel Streamline cages to be used in our Puppy Playhouse. These cages
are more sanitary and better for quarantining animals. A bank would also be very
useful in our new surgical recovery room. Double door wire crates in various sizes
are also needed for Rolling Rescue transports, housing, and surgical recovery. A
flat screen computer monitor is needed for a computer that was donated to the shelter.
Surgical equipment, such as a second surgery table and a second surgery light, is
needed for our recently added surgery room. Our animal control and safety department
is in need of one or two new sets of cat tongs, cat traps, dog traps, and new bite
gloves. The shelter intake and kennel staff could greatly benefit from 2 way radios.
Lastly, a dream item that we would love to have, but the expense and comparative
necessity have prevented us from getting, is an automatic/remote controlled gate
at the entrance to the shelter.
What All Is Going On During the Event?
An incredible time on the river with your dog!!! But that's not all:
- Go rafting with your dog
- Dog adoptions—Newport Animal Shelter volunteers onsite with adoptable pets
- A fenced in play area for your dog supervised by animal shelter volunteers—want
to go on an upper whitewater trip instead of or in addition to your float trip with
your dog? Animal shelter volunteers will care for your dog while you raft for a
donation (at your discretion).
- Onsite raffle with great prizes
- Vendor booths— to be announced. We are still in the process of obtaining sponsors
and will update this page as additional vendors are added.
- After rafting meetup at Bean Trees Cafe, a dog friendly bar and cafe one mile from
the outpost
I Don't Have a Dog, Can I Still Come?
Of course! It'll be a great time—bring your furry friend and some play money
for raffles or donations. Event starts at 2:00PM. You may also make
a donation online below.
Are There Any Rules or Restrictions on What Dogs are Allowed
All dogs attending this event need to be well behaved, toenails trimmed, and be
in good health and up to date on shots and vaccinations; proof of vaccinations may be required.
Any dog that is aggressive or otherwise determined to be a threat or a nuisance to the event may
be asked to leave the property at the sole discretion of Outdoor Adventures staff, and no refund will be given.
It is your responsibility to ensure your dog is healthy enough to raft; we will provide
professional doggie life jackets, but you should address any health risks with your vet
prior to rafting.
How Many People/Dogs Per Boat? Can I Reserve Entire Raft?
Up to 5 guests (plus our guide) will be in each boat. A guest is counted as either a dog or a human.
We do not have any size restrictions, but may not have appropriate sized doggie life jackets for
exceptionally small or exceptionally large dogs.
You may opt to reserve an entire boat for you, your friends, and your dogs at a discounted price
of only $100. You and your crew will have the whole boat to yourself (other than the guide of course)
whether it is just you and your dog, or a full compliment of rafters. This would be a good option
if your dog(s) are skiddish around other dogs or people. Note, that even if you reserve an entire
raft, your dog(s) still must be behaved and not be aggressive, as there will be many dogs at and
around the outpost and loading area.
Currently we do not have a separate line item on our reservation page to reserve an entire boat.
However, to reserve the whole boat at discounted rate, select the appropriate time under Charity
Doggie Rafting on our
Reservations Page, and make the reservation for 5 children. That will give you the
$100 rate and reserve the entire boat.
This Sounds Great, Can I Volunteer?
Yes!!
email us at info@outdooradv.net
or
fill out our contact form!
Although we have some great volunteers committed, we could still use more. In particular,
folks to help now with advertising, or the day of the event with parking, collecting
donations, and of course clean up. Certified rafting guides (with appropriate training,
first aid certification, paperwork, and referral) that would like to donate their
services are also encouraged to contact us.
I Can't Make It, but Want to Help
Can't make this event, and still want to help? Or just want to make a donation online
now? Please click the donate button and make your contribution--everything helps,
and your entire donation will be forwarded to the Newport Animal Shelter.
Look for the "Charity Doggie Rafting" on our
reservation page for June 1, 2013 to reserve a trip now. Dogs go for the price of children.
We are offering our standard trips on June 1nd as well, but ONLY the Charity Doggie Rafting trip
allows pets. If you would like to do the Upper Section (our whitewater trip)
in addition to or instead of rafting with your dog, we have volunteers and a play area you can leave your dog for an additional
donation starting at our 1:00PM trip. All reservations for various June 1nd trips may be made on our
reservation page.