Annual Parvo Fundraiser Brings Together Puppies and Paddling

AUSTIN, Texas - Aug. 7, 2014 - PRLog -- Austin Subaru is sponsoring the 2014 Paddle for Puppies, a yearly charity that raises money for the Parvo Puppy Program at Austin Pets Alive. This year, the event takes place Sunday. August 24^th from 8am to 10am at Town Lake.

At most shelters, a diagnosis of the Parvovirus could mean euthanasia. Canine Parvovirus attacks the immune system, most severely affecting the intestinal tract. When it attacks puppies, if the puppy lives, the virus can damage the heart muscle and cause lifelong cardiac problems.

In Austin, however, the city now calls Austin Pets Alive (APA) to give treatment. The treatment typically takes a week, and 88% of the puppies they are called in to save move on to lead normal, healthy lives. The Paddle for Puppies event and fundraiser allows APA to save more lives more often. With their mission to keep Austin a No-Kill City, fundraisers like this help them succeed at their goal.

Austin Subaru has been partnering with APA for quite awhile, having worked with the organization on other events in the past, such as their Peddle for Puppies event in 2011 and their 2012 Wagathon Walkathon. They also hosted the last two Paddle for Puppies events, making 2014 the third year in a row that this event has taken place.

Participants will be able to use approved watercraft – such as kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddles – to travel five miles along Town Lake. Registration is open to 250 participants and all of the proceeds from registration go to Austin Pets Alive! for their parvo program. All participants have to have a lifejacket either on or in their boats, and anyone wishing to have their dogs with them must have a lifejacket on them as well.

“We are indebted to the Austin Community for our past, current, and future success,” says Austin Subaru about their community service projects. The company not only encourages their employees to participate in Community Service on their own time, they also ask Austin community members to keep them up to date on any organizations that could use their help.

Since 1978, when Bryan Hardeman purchased his first dealership, Continental Automotive Group and the Hardeman Family have contributed millions of dollars to local charities and non-profit organizations. While the most emphasis has been related to children’s health, research and well-being, they have also been generous to the arts, education, civic groups, medical research, religion, animal rescue, school fund raisers, and student athletics.