Memphis mutts, labradors, goldens, and an abundance of adoptable foster dogs and puppies, Halle residents and friends – along with Halle artisans, local businesses, and a dog rescue – came out in “packs” on April 14 to celebrate their beloved pets at the neighborhood’s third annual Pups in the Park at Buckland Lodge and playground. 

Team Memphis Rescue and Support (TMRS), a local dog rescue, participated – bringing about a dozen adoptable dogs – and became the beneficiary of numerous fundraising efforts – which brought in approximately $1,600, an increase of $500 over the record total set at the first annual event.

“We were overjoyed to be chosen as the beneficiary rescue for the third year in a row,” said Laura Yancey, TMRS board president. “We have three foster dogs living with families in Halle Plantation, and we just love how their community continues to rally around this event and help support our rescue with financial donations and visibility.” 

Stroll Partners Show Up with High-Value Donations 

Stroll partners and friends donated generous high-value products and services to be raffled and auctioned off in the first annual silent auction. 

Silent auction items included: a garage opener and lift with installation valued at $750 from ProLift Garage Doors; two annual mosquito treatments valued at $420 each from Master Lawn; a $350 ballroom dance package from Fred Astaire Studios; a mobile golf cart tune-up from Ladd’s, valued at $350; a $250 Owen Brennan’s gift card; an in-home training session from Champion Farms valued at $250; and a $100 Hollywood Feed gift card donated by Mitchell Horst at Select Wealth Advisors. 

A large dog house, complete with a dog patio, from Platinum Property Improvements is still in the bidding stages at the time this article is being written. Custom made and valued at $2,500, this dog house was built with the same quality and finish as Phillip Duebner’s custom homes. 

Other raffle donations included a blow-out from Blo Germantown, a large Stanley tumbler from Marc Ashley at State Farm Insurance, gift baskets from TMRS, Hemp2oh gift cards, a mobile grooming session from Zoomin Groomin, a gourmet gift bowl with dog-treat baking ingredients from real-estate agent Michelle Shaver at Crye-Leike, and more. 

“My family and I just love this event,” said Catherine Owen, who was the lucky winner of several raffle items this year. “My son Hunter and his friend found plenty of dogs they wanted to adopt, but we were happy to walk away with lots of raffle prizes – it was our lucky year, for sure! We’re especially excited for the mobile grooming session we won for our dog Scout.”

Buff City Soap donated bars of dog shampoo and Poplar Wine & Spirits donated dog toys for those who purchased raffle tickets and bid on silent auction items. 

Sno Me Something – a local New Orleans-themed shaved ice company – donated one dollar for every treat sold, totaling over $100 in donations to the rescue. 

“We were really just blown away and so grateful for the exposure and for the donations,” said Lorie Beville, co-founder, vice president, and secretary/treasurer of TMRS. “Our volunteers enjoyed themselves thoroughly, and our rescue dogs loved getting out to socialize and meet potential adopters and fosters.”

Neighborhood Kids Support Dogs with Pup Cups 

Neighborhood families also came together to support the event. Livi Hill, Stella Spann, Violet Bishop, Delphine Gshwandtner, and Ruby Cate Owen helped sell Pup Cups to attending pooches. 

“We just love dogs, and love being able to help,” said Livi Hill, a neighborhood 10-year old, who is also working to start a dog-walking business with her friends Stella Spann and Gracie Gambill. “I hope to continue to help rescue dogs when I’m grown up.” 

Halle teenagers and siblings, Morgan and Devyn Ryan, volunteered by painting children’s faces at the event. The Ryans have been consistently fostering dogs for TMRS over the last few years. 

Continued Support

To learn more about how you can support the rescue dogs of Team Memphis, visit https://www.teammemphis.org/. The organization is always in need of donations, foster families, and adopters. They regularly take in dogs with critical medical issues, including many dogs on “death row” at Memphis Animal Services (MAS), and give these precious animals a second chance at life.