NJ Aid for Animals Hosts 4th Annual Benefit for Abused Animals

NJ Aid for Animals, an all-volunteer animal charity is proud to present its 4th Annual Benefit to raise money for the Sweet Pea Fund on Saturday, September 28 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the organization’s beautiful log cabin headquarters in Winslow, NJ.

For a $60 donation per person, guests will enjoy an open wine and beer bar, jazz trio, both vegan and non-vegan hors d‘oeuvres and dinner and the opportunity to meet Sweet Pea. Suggested attire is country club chic.

The Sweet Pea Fund was named for an extremely friendly terrier mix who was used as a “bait dog” abused by a dogfighting operation when Kathy McGuire, President and founder, NJ Aid for Animals, rescued her in 2015 from the City of Camden. “Sweet Pea not only survived, but she is also thriving,” says McGuire, who adds that Sweet Pea was recently named by the State of NJ as the “Official Face of Dog Fighting Awareness.

The event’s top sponsor is Merck Animal Health whose products like Bravecto and Activyl are the only flea preventative choices of NJ Aid for Animals’ yearly signature event Pets in the City that brings vaccines and flea treatment to the Camden.

Branden Westrich, territory manager, Merck Animal Health says, ‘’We are thrilled to be the top sponsor for this event that promotes the positive image of the pit bull type dog. Our partners in rescue, including the vets that help them, are a vital component of our mission to help animals.’’

NJ Aid for Animals recognizes sponsors from prior years, Mount Laurel Animal Hospital where Sweet Pea was treated, Albert V. Jaskol Agency and Gianotto Electrical Contracting.

As a “bait dog,” Sweet Pea was a helpless victim abused by a dogfighting operation to train fighting dogs to maim or kill their opponents. When she became too badly injured to be useful, they abandoned her at a Camden City garbage dump. When McGuire and the NJ Aid for Animals’ team rushed Sweet Pea to Mount Laurel Animal Hospital, she was in excruciating pain from her wounds. Sweet Pea was “one of the worst bait dog survivors” that Dr. Marcy Rose, her treating veterinarian, had ever seen. For days, Sweet endured being swathed in bandages and covered with salve. “With her flesh exposed like a burn victim, Sweet Pea was in unimaginable pain,” McGuire added, “but she never became aggressive with her veterinarians or caregivers.”

Sweet Pea is urging everyone to purchase their tickets now to help other abused animals like her who have no advocate at https://tinyurl.com/y2d6nvnn or confirm their reservation with a check to P.O. Box 4, Cedar Brook, NJ 08018.

RSVP by Tuesday September 24. No walk ins will be admitted entry into the event.

For those who aren’t able to attend but would still like to support the cause can make a donation at https://www.facebook.com/SweetPeaFund/ or www.njafa.org.

For more information, contact NJAFA at 856 728 0911 or info@njafa.org