The Erath County Humane Society was packed with vendors and guests Saturday, Aug. 31 right from the beginning of Canines and Coffee.
Dozens of vendors filled the field next to the shelter, selling a variety of goods and many promised a portion of sales to the shelter as it raises money for its new facility which will better serve the cats and dogs it houses as well as potential adopters.
ECHS director Serena Wright reported that more than 35 people were already checking out animals in the shelter at the beginning of the event and 18 animal adoptions occurred throughout the day. $9,526 was raised during the fundraising event.
Visitors to the event were kept caffeinated thank to the Drunken Daisy who fulfilled the ‘Coffee’ part of the events name, serving up iced coffee in several flavors.
Lending some notoriety to the event was Weatherford resident Nick Luciano who knows the good work done by ECHS as that is where Maverick, his red heeler mix puppy, was adopted. Luciano has a presence on apps like TikTok (as thenickluciano) and Youtube where he shares short stories, many about life with his pets.
“I think it’s awesome to come together as a community,” Luciano said at his booth where he was meeting people and selling merchandise.
Also at the booth were Maverick and his older rescue pitbull mix, Bullet.
“Bullet was a Godsend,” Luciano remembered. One day, he just showed up at my house.”
Luciano said the dog appeared at a pretty lonely time in his life. Sensing the dog’s need for a home, he reached out, but it took the timid stray several hours of coaxing to warm up to his adopter.
Now, the internet video personality says the dogs are bonded to him and he to them and it’s changed all their lives for the better.
“Those rescues know [they were saved],” he said. “They look at you differently because they were in it. There are so many dogs on the streets and in the shelter that need homes.”
Luciano said he is moved by dogs because they are capable of great empathy. He then cited the great work done with service and therapy animals.
“We’re so blessed to have dogs,” he said. “They’re near and dear to my heart.”
After adopting Maverick, he saw the need for ECHS’ expansion and heard about the approval for the facility so he called Wright offering to help out with a fundraiser and to assist in its promotion.
With his assistance as well as that of ECHS supporters, the Facebook posts about Canines and Coffee got hundreds of shares, resulting in the large turnout this weekend.
For more information on ECHS, visit wrath county humane society.com or call (254) 965-3247. You can make a tax-exempt donation to the shelter through PayPal or Venmo @echs19. Checks can be mailed to Erath County Humane Society, P.O. Box 2006, Stephenville, TX 76401.Tax-exempt letters with the 501(c)(3) status and EIN will be given upon request.