Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge Receives $5,000 for Buffie’s Win

Oakland, NJ – Buffie from Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge (RBARI) in Oakland, NJ was officially crowned champion in the fifth annual Petplan pet insurance Tournament of Tails competition on Monday, April 23.

Buffie was on hand with RBARI’s executive director Megan Brinster, shelter volunteer Frannie Laurita, RBARI ambassador Caroline Manzo and Petplan's Jackie Petersen.

“We will be paying it forward with the prize donation,” said Brinster. “We plan on funding our Betty Lou Medical Fund, an emergency fund that allows us to take on hardship cases and nurse sick pets back to health. Buffie was a beneficiary of the Betty Lou Medical Fund when she arrived at RBARI, needing emergency surgery to fix an ear issue.”

The Honest Kitchen and Territory added to the event with donations of pet food and leashes for the entire shelter.

The bracket-inspired online tournament featured 32 dogs and cats competing for their shelters in friendly “nose-to-nose” matchups.

Between March 12 and April 4, animal lovers across the United States cast over 205,000 votes to help propel their pet picks to the next round. And after a close matchup between runner-up Jammers, a feisty feline from Wayside Waifs in Kansas City, MO, Buffie scored the top-dog position for the win. As a result, she’ll be taking home the $5,000 grand prize on behalf of RBARI.

The donations and development resources for Tournament of Tails come via Petplanthropy, Petplan’s official philanthropic initiative.

Buffie’s journey to the tournament had its challenges. Because of long-term neglect, she was found with a hematoma on one ear and scarring from painful ear infections that blocked her ear canals. Her right ear needed to be amputated, and she required bilateral ear ablation to create new ear canals — but it hasn't affected this superstar one bit. She’s a kind soul who loves everyone she meets, especially children. Buffie’s spirit continues to shine as she celebrates her big win while continuing to keep her focus on the ultimate prize: finding her forever home.

“After what turned out to be another ruff competition, it looks like the dogs pulled it out in the end,” says Natasha Ashton, co-founder and co-CEO of Petplan. “We extend our heartiest congrats to Buffie and her caregivers at RBARI, as well as the other shelters who helped us continue our mission to put pets first in this year’s Tournament of Tails.”

To sniff out more information, visit the Tournament of Tails website at gopetplan.com/tournament-of-tails.