The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes Goes to the Dogs

Cool and drizzly weather didn’t keep people, or their dogs, away from The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes on Saturday. The draw? Woofapawlooza, the annual festival celebrating dogs and the people who rescue them.

Good Karma Animal Rescue of Minnesota puts on the event as a fundraiser. The $15,000 they take in helps them pay for food and vet care for as many as 25 foster dogs at a time. That’s an expensive proposition, especially when dogs have medical issues like heartworm, or need to be spayed or neutered. But Good Karma workers say it’s all worth it.

“It feels good knowing that you made a difference for these animals,” says Jennie Zafft of Good Karma. “Seeing them go to loving homes is really just a great feeling.”

“We can really lighten the load”

Good Karma sources most of their fosters from the southern U.S. – they rescued several in the aftermath of hurricanes that hit Texas. That’s because, according to Good Karma staff, Minnesota doesn’t have a big problem with homeless animals. That lets them help out where Zafft says they’re needed more.

“A lot of the shelters there, they have to euthanize for space, and so we can really lighten the load.”

If Woofapawlooza passed you by this year, they’ll be back again the first weekend of August next year. Meanwhile, they’re always looking for more help. If you’d like to contribute by donating time or money, or even fostering dogs, you can check their website at Goodkarmamn.org.

Maple Grove