Red Shed Racing

Summer Fundraising Success!!

We made it out to the local summer fairs and markets to raise awareness about our cause as well as money for our team.  We had a variety of items - T-Shirts, Hats, Kites, Travel Mugs, Stickers and Magnets all with our logo on them.  We even had a little game where folks could donate a dollar and try and win the items by playing the lollipop game.  Our Sloggan - Everyone Wins at Red Shed Racing - because at  the very least everyone walked away with a lollipop!!  Since we believe all of our dogs are winners it seemed to fit.

I met countless people who were very supportive of our team!  It was delightful to meet alaskans and tourists who wanted to learn more about our sport!  I showed off our scrapbook and the professional race photos and our article in People magazine.  On Weds I was able to bring a dog and people were just so happy to meet them!  I talked up our dogs and showed how they live to pull and how much they LOVE what they do!!

The number one most popular question I got was - "Why do sled dogs need to be rescued?"

I explained that like many animal driven sports there is a tendency to over-breed - intentionally or accidentally.  I went on to say that some dogs are sold but many are not.  Some sled dogs are given away as pets to people who may not be ready to handle the energy of a husky.  Many times those animals end up in shelters. Or Mushers turn unwanted sled dogs into their local shelter because they did not "make their team."  I explained that these are the lucky dogs -  who get a second chance in a situation that was never their fault.  I also discussed the high incidents of culling in our sport.  Overall I kept my answer to this question professional and informative.  Yes it is a problem - no it is not because every musher has poor ethics  - I made this very clear. 

I am proud of our sport and the many positive things about it!  I am not however going to hide the problems - providing public education is one way to raise awareness in hopes of inspiring change.

Additionally, I accomplised my goal to get our dogs out and about to meet their fans!  Socialization being a huge part of our program for our dogs - I think it went very well.  Each dog had a unique experience some were more outgoing than others - Rabbit pictured below found the day very fun and he enjoyed relaxing in my chair between people!

All told the 8 dogs got to get out there (Blue, Kodiak, Aspen, Skittles, Pickle, Indigo, Rockstar and Rabbit)

We will be out there again next summer - hope to see you there!