Howl-O-Ween: Kennel owner holds dog costume contest as fundraiser
Published - Oct 25 2010 07:26AM EST
By Pam Haynes High Point Enterprise, High Point Enterprise, N.C.
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» Oct. 25 HIGH POINT You've probably seen a 3-year-old child dressed up as a ballerina for Halloween, but what about a chocolate Labrador in a tutu?
That will be the case on Thursday when Halloween will go to the dogs literally in an effort to raise money for the Davidson County Humane Society.
Kennel owner Matt Nagem and his wife, Tammy Nagem, director of operations for the High Point Market Authority, are holding their second annual Howl-O-Ween Shindigg, a dog costume party that will benefit the humane society.
People can enter their dressed-up pets in the contest for $5 at the Diggs For Dogs Kennel on Clodfelter Road in northeast High Point. Food and fall festivities will be offered at the event, which starts at 5:30 p.m. and is free to attend. Proceeds and donations collected will go to the humane society's building fund.
Costume judging begins at 7 p.m. The first place prize is $100; second place is a free boarding pass, and third place is a gift certificate.
Nagem opened the kennel one year ago after making a major career switch from an engineer at Dell in Winston-Salem. He also was once employed by the Guilford County Animal Shelter, where his love for pets grew.
"I think people value their pets a lot more than they used to," he said. "That's one of the reasons we've been successful. Last year, we had a lot of fun. People dress up their animals just like children."
Last year's pet costume contest was a trial run that ended up being a hit with attendees, he said. A three-legged dog named Hank dressed up as a pirate with a peg leg won first place.
"The reason we're doing it again is because it was just a lot of fun," he said. "To see the different costumes, it was just neat. It seemed like there was a lot of positive energy."
More than 150 people attended the event, while only about a dozen pets were entered into the contest. But the business has gained almost 200 clients in the last year, and he expects attendance at the upcoming show to increase. "What we really want to do is foster care for animals," he said. "We want to raise a lot more money this year."
That will be the case on Thursday when Halloween will go to the dogs literally in an effort to raise money for the Davidson County Humane Society.
Kennel owner Matt Nagem and his wife, Tammy Nagem, director of operations for the High Point Market Authority, are holding their second annual Howl-O-Ween Shindigg, a dog costume party that will benefit the humane society.
People can enter their dressed-up pets in the contest for $5 at the Diggs For Dogs Kennel on Clodfelter Road in northeast High Point. Food and fall festivities will be offered at the event, which starts at 5:30 p.m. and is free to attend. Proceeds and donations collected will go to the humane society's building fund.
Costume judging begins at 7 p.m. The first place prize is $100; second place is a free boarding pass, and third place is a gift certificate.
Nagem opened the kennel one year ago after making a major career switch from an engineer at Dell in Winston-Salem. He also was once employed by the Guilford County Animal Shelter, where his love for pets grew.
"I think people value their pets a lot more than they used to," he said. "That's one of the reasons we've been successful. Last year, we had a lot of fun. People dress up their animals just like children."
Last year's pet costume contest was a trial run that ended up being a hit with attendees, he said. A three-legged dog named Hank dressed up as a pirate with a peg leg won first place.
"The reason we're doing it again is because it was just a lot of fun," he said. "To see the different costumes, it was just neat. It seemed like there was a lot of positive energy."
More than 150 people attended the event, while only about a dozen pets were entered into the contest. But the business has gained almost 200 clients in the last year, and he expects attendance at the upcoming show to increase. "What we really want to do is foster care for animals," he said. "We want to raise a lot more money this year."
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