08 ws11WoofStock, Fayetteville Animal Protection Society’s pet fundraising event, is slated for Friday, Oct. 1 from 6 to 10:30 p.m. It will take place at Cape Fear Botanical Garden. There will be dinner, drinks, live bands, swag to take home and a few new surprises will be featured.

Fayetteville Animal Protection Society, Inc., or FAPS, is the only Cumberland County no-kill, non-profit animal shelter supported by volunteers, grants and individual contributions. FAPS receives no state or federal funding to operate and relies solely on the community to support its mission in rescuing and successfully placing companion animals in their forever homes. Currently, there are 79 animals housed at the facility that need to be adopted.

While stores, restaurants and businesses came to a halt due to COVID-19, there was still a need for safe havens for animals. Despite missing out on their normal fundraising efforts and major changes in operating protocols, FAPS has continued to give second chances to discarded and abandoned pets in our community. Jackie Peery, Executive Director of FAPS said, “2020 was a difficult year financially without our major fundraiser. WoofStock is very vital to FAPS’s mission.”

In lieu of WoofStock, last year FAPS hosted an online silent auction. “We got a lot of stuff for the auction,” Peery said. “It was a great to have something of no value to you be something that someone else could use.”

COVID-19 also affected people at the organization. FAPS was not open to the public and staff hours were reduced. Volunteers helped out.

“This is WoofStock’s ninth year,” Peery said. “Five hundred people are expected at WoofStock this year.” Proceeds help FAPS to continue their mission to not only spay/neuter, vaccinate and microchip each pet, but also provide food, shelter and veterinary care while under the care of FAPS.

The event is strictly for adults. As much as all involved love their pets, they will not be at the event. If you want to adopt an animal, the hours the facility is open to the public is Friday from 1-5 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. FAPS will operate by appointment Tuesday-Thursday.

There will be a variety of food at the event. Little Taco will be making taco boxes. Also, hot dogs and sausages will be available. A baked potato bar will also feed attendees. Dirtbag Ales is a sponsor. They are donating 3 beers – Blood Orange Kolsch. Old-Brew Mocha Porter and Crispy Boiz Seltzer - included with the ticket price. It is an open bar, but tips are appreciated. There will be fun activities with lawn games such as corn hole and Jenga.
There is no dress code. Some people wear tie-dye etc. Don’t have anything tie-dye? There will be a station where attendees can dye their own shirt.

All CDC social guidelines will be followed. While there will be indoor seating, WoofStock will primarily be outside. Tables will sit four to six people and will be spaced out to meet social distancing guidelines. With its groovy attitude and laid-back atmosphere, WoofStock is an event with a cause which is to continue to help our community’s homeless animals find forever homes.

Check out FAPS on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fapspet or on their website at www.fapspet.org for more information on WoofStock
and FAPS.

Pictured: The WoofStock fundraiser for FAPS is scheduled Oct. 1. (Photo courtesy FAPS)