LAURIE WEIR

Tails were wagging in approval Sunday during a fundraiser for the Perth off-leash dog park at Darou Farm just south of town.

Dubbed the Darou Trails for Tails event, it was hosted by the Perth Dog Park Community (PDPC). There were 16 vendors on site.

“It’s been absolutely fantastic,” said Tania Cadeau, chair of the PDPC, who said the group has raised about $17,500 of the $30,000 earmarked for the project. She was hoping for about $1,000 to $2,000 from the day – they were right in the middle, raising $1,500.

“It’s a lot of work, and we’ve had some great volunteers today – we couldn’t have done it without them.”

Cadeau said the vendors on site were spectacular – many of whom were sharing some of their profits with the PDPC.

There were nail trims, photos and even a pet parade with about 20 canines in the mix. Raffle baskets were also a hit among guests – as were the pizza and spicey relishes.

“It’s challenging because of the economic times,” Cadeau said. “But we’ve had a lot of support from the community and some rescues that are going to help us fundraise – like Mel’s Farm, Nakoma Rescue (Brockville). We also have Howling Hideaway Rescue from Westport who wants to work with us and support us. It’s great.”

In a few weeks, they’ll be looking for some corporate sponsors. They have many donation jars set up across town.

“Hopefully that will help with the amount we still need to raise,” Cadeau said. “We didn’t think of counting, but I think we had about 75 vehicles loaded with people come in.”

Cadeau said they’ve applied for a grant to help build a shelter for people and their pets when they’re on the trails. They’re also looking at accessibility funding through the county to ensure people of all abilities have access to the trails and for a permanent washroom. “That’s a big goal of ours,” she said about the accessibility grant opportunity.

Cadeau said she’s hoping to get a few more people involved and be part of their committee.

If this is something you would do, please reach out to the group through their Facebook page. “We’d love to plan more events,” she said. “It (the day’s event) has been fantastic. We have had over 20-25 volunteers who came out today. Some we never met before.”

The off-leash dog park’s location at Darou Farm was decided upon last summer by Perth council with the stipulation that the PDPC raise half the funds needed to support the project – estimated at $60,000. The town reported that it will cost about $9,000 in annual maintenance fees. In August 2023, the town passed a motion stating that the plans for completing the off-leash dog park to begin once the community has raised its half of the project’s capital costs.