Animal lovers from all over should flood to the Thomas Felton Community Park in Plattekill this Saturday, as Shades and Shadows is set to host its annual fundraiser for the Walden Humane Society.

The event will take place on Saturday, July 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Town Park, on Route 32. It will feature a variety of talented vendors offering handmade items such as crocheted goods, garden decorations, clothing, tumblers, woodwork, and jewelry. Additionally, attendees can enjoy services such as reiki, tarot readings, and henna body art.

Spearheaded three years ago by Shellie VanDemark — the owner of Shades and Shadows, a local business offering services from haircuts, to readings to waxing — the fundraiser helps raise money and accumulate monetary and practical donations for the shelter. The humane society, which has saved over 8,000 lives since 2012, works to rescue and provide homes for cats and dogs in need, creating a no-kill safe haven for them, according to their website.

“People can help themselves,” VanDemark said. “Animals can’t. That’s why I feel like they get left behind, and they get forgotten about. And there [are] so many of them.”

VanDemark said she used to participate in a fundraiser every year with a group of women until their group dispersed. The humane society fundraiser first began after she decided to take it on herself following the split.

Carol Daley, the board treasurer at the humane society, described why fundraisers like this one are so important for sustaining their services. Being that they are a nonprofit organization, they survive primarily on donations.

“The more money we raise, the more animals we can help,” Daley said. “Volunteers and fostering [are] just as important. Obviously, money is important to keep us going. But we have 60 animals in foster currently, cats and kittens mostly. So things like that help us to help more animals.”

Compared to past years, VanDemark said 2023 had a smaller number of vendors. The first year it was held, the fundraiser was in her yard until it was relocated to the park the following year. On Saturday, some of the vendors from the first year will return who were unable to attend in 2023.

Event admission is in the form of a tangible or monetary donation for the cats and dogs at the shelter. A vast group of vendors will be featured including those offering handmade jewelry, handmade items like crocheted materials, clothing, garden decor and woodwork. Some services will be offered as well like reiki — an energy based healing — tarot card readings and henna body art. Soaps by Megan of Sapwood Soapery, Tarot Readings and Reiki by The Dragon and Pot Holders and Bowl Cozies by Donna are among confirmed vendors for the event.

The late Florence Thiele played a crucial role in raising the funds which made the shelter possible. After the land the shelter now stands on was donated, Wallkill Correctional Facility inmates constructed the footprint for the current facility. The structure expanded in 2008 to include a cat care section.

“The Humane Society of Walden believes that all animals have a natural right to humane treatment including proper care, respect, and safe shelter,” their mission statement reads. “Our primary mission is to provide care while finding permanent, loving homes for the many animals that come to our door.”

Iams Lamb and Rice dry food, toys and comforters are some of the most requested items for dogs, while wet food, a KMR milk replacer and cat litter are a few of the needed items for cats. The shelter itself requires laundry detergent, bleach, Fabuloso cleaner, paper towels and toilet paper.

A few items marked as unsafe for animals are Pedigree Dry, Friskies Kitten Kibble and anything containing red or green dye.
“It is an enjoyable event,” Daley said. “There are other vendors there. And it is a way to support our efforts and have a nice time with the family.”

For more details, visit the event page on Facebook at @ShellieShadesandShadows.