MONROE - Maurices, a clothing store in Monroe's West Mall, will have a "Rescues and Runways" fashion show from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. today to help collect donations for the Green County Humane Society.
Monroe's store is working with more than 730 Maurices stores across the county to spotlight the need to find homes for shelter animals and collect more than 500,000 pounds of supplies for animal shelters, Monroe store manager Samantha Risseeuw said.
"This is a fun way to bring attention to a very serious issue in our community," she said.
The economy has forced some families to surrender their pets, while also leading to decreased financial support for shelters, she said.
"It's a 'perfect storm' and pets are feeling the brunt of it," Risseeuw said.
During the fashion show, six models will walk around Maurices to feature some of the latest fall clothes available at the store. The models will walk around with four dogs and two cats to show people just a few of the animals available at the humane society. Shelter volunteers will answer questions about animal adoption and volunteer opportunities.
There's also a silent auction to help raise money for the shelter.
This is the first time Maurices has had a fashion and animal show, Risseeuw said.
Maurices also will collect items to donate to GCHS. Risseeuw said everyone who brings in three items, such as paper towels, dog collars or training collars, will receive a coupon for 20 percent off one regular-priced item.
For pet lovers, the store will sell a "Best Friends for Life" charm for $5, with $2.50 going to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. One half of the charm can be clipped onto a pet's collar, and the other half can be clipped onto a piece of jewelry.
The national campaign will continue through the end of September. Risseeuw said people who can't attend Saturday still can bring donations to the store until the end of the month.
Monroe's store is working with more than 730 Maurices stores across the county to spotlight the need to find homes for shelter animals and collect more than 500,000 pounds of supplies for animal shelters, Monroe store manager Samantha Risseeuw said.
"This is a fun way to bring attention to a very serious issue in our community," she said.
The economy has forced some families to surrender their pets, while also leading to decreased financial support for shelters, she said.
"It's a 'perfect storm' and pets are feeling the brunt of it," Risseeuw said.
During the fashion show, six models will walk around Maurices to feature some of the latest fall clothes available at the store. The models will walk around with four dogs and two cats to show people just a few of the animals available at the humane society. Shelter volunteers will answer questions about animal adoption and volunteer opportunities.
There's also a silent auction to help raise money for the shelter.
This is the first time Maurices has had a fashion and animal show, Risseeuw said.
Maurices also will collect items to donate to GCHS. Risseeuw said everyone who brings in three items, such as paper towels, dog collars or training collars, will receive a coupon for 20 percent off one regular-priced item.
For pet lovers, the store will sell a "Best Friends for Life" charm for $5, with $2.50 going to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. One half of the charm can be clipped onto a pet's collar, and the other half can be clipped onto a piece of jewelry.
The national campaign will continue through the end of September. Risseeuw said people who can't attend Saturday still can bring donations to the store until the end of the month.