WoofStock Returns To Support Injured Pasco County Animals

LAND O’ LAKES, FL – Three years ago, Ritter the dog may not have survived his ordeal with a traumatic leg injury.

When Ritter arrived at Pasco County Animal Services, possibly after being hit by a car, he underwent a femoral head osteotomy to remove the “ball” portion of his injured leg. Thanks to the shelter’s medical fund for sick and injured animals in its care, Ritter was able to fully recover and was adopted.

But in 2014, an emergency fund was just an idea, said Andrea Ciesluk, the education coordinator at Pasco County Animal Services.

“We were getting so many animals into the shelter that had been hit by cars or injured in other ways,” Ciesluk said. “We saved as many as we could save. We needed a fund just for these animals and a way to raise money for the fund.”

While the Friends of Animal Services agreed to help get the fund started, WoofStock began as a way to raise money for the fund. Now in its third year, WoofStock 2017 is set to take place on Saturday, May 20 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Florida Estate Winery, 25241 State Road 52 in Land O’ Lakes.

The first WoofStock in 2015 was a great success and has grown ever since, Ciesluk said.

“The amount of vendors that we have this year is double last year and we seem to have a lot more interest this year,” she said. “We are hoping that it will continue to grow.”

Billed as a day of peace, dogs and music, WoofStock 2017 will feature live bands, vendors and wine tasting.

“People will be able to buy everything from jewelry art and honey to all kinds of pet supplies,” Ciesluk said. “We will also have music, raffles, pet photos, low-cost pet vaccines, wine tasting and, of course, pet adoptions.”

Three bands will perform live during WoofStock 2017.

“Christine and Willie is a fun country duo,” Ciesluk said. “This is their second time at WoofStock. We also have the DooDads. They are an energetic band who will play just about anything from the ’60s to today. The Fire and the Fox is a very talented band who only plays original music.”

The Florida Estates Winery has played host to WoofStock since it began.

“Florida Estates Winery has such a warm and relaxing feel to it,” Ciesluk said. “The couple who runs the winery is wonderful and very generous. We also love how pet-friendly it is.”

Tickets for WoofStock 2017 are $5 while children 10 and younger are free. Rabies shots will be available for $8 and microchips will be $15.

All proceeds from WoofStock 2017 will be used for the Pasco County Animal Services emergency fund.

“This event has helped save a lot of lives,” Ciesluk said.

For more information about Pasco County Animal Services, visit http://www.pascocountyfl.net/Index.aspx?NID=408.

Image by Amy Kruse, courtesy of Pasco County Animal Services