Second Chance Animal Sanctuary will host its 16th annual Dog Day Afternoon at Reaves Park Saturday.

All proceeds go directly to Second Chance Animal Sanctuary and half of those proceeds will go to animal rescue shelters that rescued stray animals from Hurricane Katrina.

"This is a great opportunity for people to bring their pets out for a fundraiser that benefits Second Chance Animal Sanctuary," said Mary Katherine Long, director of Second Chance.

Dog Day Afternoon will have fun events such as dog competitions and silent auctions to raise money from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

More than 40 businesses are sponsoring Dog Day Afternoon and hundreds of donors have already contributed.

"This year, we have seen more donations and sponsors than in years past," Long said.

Long has been working at Second Chance for three months, but said she has volunteered in the past for Dog Day Afternoon. Volunteers can come the day of the event and sign up at the front table.

"We have different opportunities for people to help out," Long said.

Second Chance needs volunteers to help set up in the morning and help break down after 6 p.m. They also need volunteers for walking and keeping the dogs occupied and helping with vaccinations. They need volunteers for an education booth that teaches responsibility to children and adults on pet ownership and other issues.

Dog Day Afternoon will offer numerous events such as live music, the Oklahoma Frisbee dog state championship competition, dog show competitions, pet psychic readings, pet glamour shots, low-cost vaccinations, dog adoption, raffles and a dachshund dash.

"The Oklahoma Frisbee dog state championship competition is a big deal because it's not only professional dogs who participate but amateur dogs get to compete too," Long said.

Mayor Harold Haralson of Norman will present awards to the winners of each event.

"We are happy to announce that seven veterinarians from Norman have volunteered their time to come out and help with pet vaccinations," Long said.

Each contest entry is $5, except for the dog and disk championship, which is $10.

Along with low-cost vaccinations and fun-filled events, people who come out can adopt dogs from Second Chance.

"The fee to adopt is $70, which includes heartworm shots, vaccinations and the dogs will be spayed or neutered," Long said.

Second Chance anticipates that about 30 dogs of all shapes, colors and sizes will be adopted this year. Owners can get their pets' shots from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Booster vaccinations are $15 and rabies vaccinations are $5.

All entry fees, vaccinations and donations will benefit Second Chance and animal rescue shelters on the Gulf Coast.

"Some animals that were rescued from New Orleans were taken to shelters in Galveston," Long said. "We are trying to provide financial assistance to these shelters so they can re-evacuate these animals before Hurricane Rita hits."

The main message Dog Day Afternoon likes to give out is responsible pet ownership.

For more information contact Second Chance Animal Sanctuary at 405-321-1915.

Headline: Dog Day Afternoon benefits Second Chance Animal Sanctuary and animal rescue shelters on the Gulf Coast.
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