SPRINGFIELD — Since 2007, the Foundation for TJO Animals has been dedicated to raising essential funds to help local and homeless animals at the Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center.
While providing and supporting life-saving veterinary care and rehabilitation needs for animals, TJO is able to treat thousands of animals a year.
Foundation for TJO Animals Executive Director Janna Brown said the foundation’s annual Pawzaar is integral in its work to support animals in the community.
“Pawzaar is our longest running fundraising event,” Brown said. “It’s been going on almost as long as the foundation has been around actually.”
The craft fair this year will be held on Nov. 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 52 Sumner Ave. in Springfield. The event will include 40 handmade craft vendors consisting of both independent crafters and brick and mortar stores in the Pioneer Valley.
“The vendors don’t buy and sell, they make what they sell,” Brown said. “It’s supporting small business in the community, getting everyone together and allowing for a nice safe shopping environment with a little bit of holiday flair.”
Special raffles held each year provide a way to donate directly towards treatment for TJO animals. Some of this year’s prizes include a gift card tree and concert tickets to see three time Grammy award winner, Trisha Yearwood.
Shoppers can also look forward to a donation only bake sale and discounted pet merchandise, including bowls, beds and toys, or even try their luck at a PLINKO game for special prizes.
“It’s just a fun event,” Brown said. “We have a lot of people that are loyal to it and they come to do some holiday shopping, play in raffles and donate.”
After bouncing around a few locations, this will be Pawzaar’s first year at 52 Sumner. The craft fair is typically filled to the brim with shoppers every year and finding a space indoors that’s big enough can be a challenge. Past events attempted outdoors have been rained out, which makes being indoors vital to the fair’s success.
While they’re still shopping around for a potential permanent home in years to come, Brown believes 52 Sumner is a great space for people and families to have a great day shopping.
“There will be a spot upstairs as well where you can sit, hang out and have some snacks,” Brown said. “We’ll have a slideshow of all our events and animals that have been adopted so people can just chill out and watch that too.”
Brown emphasized that fundraising events like Pawzaar are the backbone of their foundation and the driving force that keeps their mission alive.
“We need to make sure we can provide the shelter with the funds to cover any critical veterinary care and enrichment,” Brown said. “Last year we saw about 3,000 animals come through the door, so it can be a never ending spiral.”
TJO isn’t only seeing dogs and cats coming through the door either. As of right now, they’re treating animals like rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets and reptiles, on occasion.
“We want every animal to have a shot and get a chance,” Brown said. “The foundation exists to fund all the extra stuff and all of the medical care at the shelter because it can become very costly.”
Brown strives to inform the public about the importance of supporting animals in need through adopting, volunteering and fostering, and events like Pawzaar assure that animals can be saved and given a life they deserve.
“There are so many animals in this area that either need homes or temporary housing,” Brown said. “In shelters, their mental status can really deteriorate, so we want to make sure the animals have a place that’s safe, warm and quiet while we find them homes.”
More information for Pawzaar can be found under the events section at tjofoundation.org. TJO is always accepting donations as well.
