Copperas Cove Junior High student works to save animals’ lives
A female miniature Doberman Pinscher sits in her cage. Her pink collar is around her neck. But, there is sadness in her eyes. A male part-Blue Tick Hound mix and German Shepherd mix also look longingly through the chain link fence that surrounds them in their runs. All they want is a good home.
That’s where 11-year old Camryn Brown comes in. The determined 6th grader at Cove Junior High School has organized a dog walk and costume contest to benefit the City of Copperas Cove Animal Control Facility and surrounding shelters.
Sponsored by the Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce, the Howl-O-Ween Dog Walk and Costume Contest takes place on Oct. 31st at 9 a.m. at City Park.
“It’s a fun way to spend some time with our pets while donating to benefit the other pets out there that are not as fortunate to have their own homes and families,” Brown said. “It is extremely sad that there are so many homeless and abandoned animals that really need and deserve good homes.”
Brown said she really wishes that she could find them all homes.
“But since I can’t, I want to help the animals that are in shelters to be comfortable and well fed while they are awaiting their forever homes,” she said.
The reigning Pre-Teen Miss Rabbit Fest selected caring for abandoned animals as her platform of service during her reign and came up with the idea of a dog walk as a way to get others involved in a cause she is so passionate about. Brown has her own rescue animals which include her two Shih-tzus, George and Frank, and a cat named Lovebug which was abandoned in a rural area and Brown took her in as a rescue cat.
Brown said she has learned a lot in organizing the event.
“I have learned to appreciate what others do for me because I see that there is a lot of work involved in planning events,” she said. “My goal is to at least collect enough food and other items to reach every animal in all of the local shelters.”
Brown said she wants to fill up the back of her dad’s pickup truck with pet food and supplies and have other trucks standing by for all of the donations.
“My biggest challenge I am facing so far is hoping that a lot of people show up and getting a lot of others involved,” she said. “Many local school groups are having pet food drives to go toward the donations and will be volunteering at the dog walk as well. It has been wonderful to see others already getting involved and I am so grateful for all of the help so far.”
If you go…
What: Howl-O-Ween Dog Walk and Costume Contest sponsored by the Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce
When: Oct. 31st; 8 a.m. registration; 8:30 a.m. costume contest; 9 a.m. walk begins
Where: City Park-Fester’s House, 1206 W. Ave. B, Copperas Cove
Details: Entry requires a donation of pet food or supplies
Pre-Teen Miss Rabbit Fest Camryn Brown, adbrown2601@gmail.com or the Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce at (254) 547-7571. Donations may also be dropped off in advance at the Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce, 204 E. Robertson Ave. or Refresh Spa & Boutique, 312 E. Ave. D, Copperas Cove.