Backyard Brawl Raises Awareness for Animal Shelter
Backyard Brawl fans can expect dogs will be out in full force when Mississippi College take the field against Millsaps in Clinton Sept. 5. The game will boost awareness for the area's only no-kill animal shelter, Community Animal Rescue & Adoption.
The annual football game figures to be a dogfight between the two metro Jackson rivals. Last year, Millsaps won 42 to 6 on the Jackson campus. In 2007, MC prevailed in a miraculous come-from-behind thriller 27-26.
At least ten CARA dogs will be on hand about an hour before the 7 p.m. game at Robinson-Hale Stadium to open MC's 2009 football season. Fans are expected to walk some of the dogs around the MC track at half-time.
But the game's big story will be the return of MC standout Adam Shaffer, who is back in the lineup as the Choctaws quarterback after missing most of the 2008 season with injuries. The former Jackson Academy star is seen as a candidate for the Charlie Conerly Trophy that goes to Mississippi's no. 1 collegiate football player.
No matter who emerges on top at the Backyard Brawl scoreboard, CARA will be the big winner.
Squeezed for space, CARA headquarters at 960 North Flag Chapel Road is home to 300 dogs and 60 cats waiting to be adopted. Fans will be encouraged to adopt CARA dogs at the stadium. Two years ago, some of the children walking the dogs around the MC track signed up on the spot as CARA volunteers.
It costs $1,000 daily to operate the animal shelter and the non-profit agency is always strapped for cash. Donations will be accepted at the Brawl to help CARA keep its doors open.
"We are paying the bills, but not pulling ahead," said Liz Kepner of Madison, coordinator of volunteers for CARA. "We keep on plugging. We are always looking for new revenue sources."
The Backyard Brawl 2009 will also be an opportunity for CARA to pick up some additional volunteers. CARA is assisted by about 30 volunteers.
At the moment, CARA's facilities are filled to capacity. "But when we find animals on our doorstep, we find someplace to put them," Kepner said.
Kepner really isn't a big-time college football fan, but she's hoping for a nice turnout of fans at the Backyard Brawl. Tickets cost $15 at the gate the day of the game, and $10 in advance for the MC family.
This is the third year in a row that the MC-Millsaps clash will benefit CARA."We absolutely appreciate their support," Kepner said.
One dog expected to attend the MC-Millsaps game on the Clinton campus is Orchid, a year-old peek-a-poo. Orchid would make a great pet, says Janet Madden, the shelter director. "She is very energetic - a lively little dog." The dog is spayed and current on her shots.
To acquire a CARA dog, one must pay a $100 adoption fee.
For those seeking to adopt, there will be applications to fill out and available at the Backyard Brawl. CARA staffers expect to get to the game at 6 p.m. and stay late that Saturday night.
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