Green Fur Kidz, a Hawleyville-based nonprofit pet rescue, started fostering dogs about ten years ago. Today it is a group of volunteers and foster families hosting between five and ten dogs or more at a time, said founder Meli Garthwait. Currently there are 12 dogs in foster care, in Newtown, Bethel, and Westport. Annually the group has anywhere from 50 to 75 foster home-based adoptions.greenfurkidz.com, or call 203-917-5400. According to the website, the group's mission is "Rescuing, Rehabilitating & Rehoming dogs that are safe for all family members."Fundraising Galagreenfurkidz.com.

"We are doing well," she said, but they are often short on money. "There are always so many things that have to happen" with placing dogs and caring for them, which includes veterinary bills and training. The organization as of five years ago is a 501(c)(3) public charity with an all-volunteer Northeast-based group, rescuing all breeds on euthanasia lists in kill shelters.

Additional expenses also arise, such as the case with Rubie, who is with the organization now.

"She is great with people but dog aggressive and we are trying to raise money for her special training; but she can't be in a foster home where there are other dogs so we are trying to get her training so she can be rehomed," Ms Garthwait said. "She's so sweet with people and really deserves a chance."

Rubie is currently "stuck in boarding" at Mt Pleasant Hospital for Animals, according to Ms Garthwait.

Normally, she said, "We don't take in cases where there is dog or people aggression and fostering is hard work. You have to sacrifice a lot to take another dog into the home." She was initially unaware of Rubie's problems.

"She needs a home without other dogs and no small children." Rubie is "so sweet and everyone at Mt Pleasant Animal Hospital that meets her while she's been in boarding there just loves her." Ms Garthwait described Rubie as "an older gal, 8½ years old and very lazy." Rubie wants to "hang out all day on a sofa. She would make a great pet for … someone home all day that needs a companion."

Green Fur Kidz is offering free adoption, lifetime wellness visits and vaccines, and will provide a small fenced in area of the yard on the adopting parent's property and a year of food to get Rubie started.

Ms Garthwait had started the organization out of need.

"I was at my computer and seeing all these animals being put to sleep and thinking that some of these dogs have only 12 hours to find a home," she said.  She could not find any organizations "that could pull fast enough, so I had to figure out a way." Since then the Green Fur Kidz emerged to rescue dogs, pay for bills and training, and "it's a lot of hard work with each dog and we do it because we love them."

Green Fur Kidz works with shelters, and places dogs in foster homes. A large network of volunteers works to assess each dog and learn its temperament "so we have good luck in placing." Green Fur Kidz works "mostly on Facebook and works with volunteers in the shelters to figure out of we can pull a dog," Ms Garthwait said.

Learn more about Green Fur Kidz, Inc through

The organization will hold its St Paddy's Day Anniversary Gala "Kilts For A Cause & Fascinators For The Furball" on March 17. The fundraising event, which will be at The Society Room of Hartford, will help celebrate the dog rescue group's fifth year as a nonprofit, and support its continuing efforts .

The evening includes a men's kilt contest and a fascinator contest for the ladies, plus auctions, games, a photo booth, cocktail hour, top shelf open bar, sit down five-course dinner, dancing, and more.

An MC/DJ (AMS) and fashion photographer Airen Miller will also attend. Men in kilts or suits. Doors open at 5:45 pm. Cocktail hour and auction viewings begin at 6, dinner, dancing, and more follow, and the evening concludes at 11 .

"It's a beautiful venue," said Ms Garthwait.

Tickets are $150 per person, and reservations are required by March 14. Tickets are available online through

Contact Ms Garthwait at 203-917-5400 for information, or to inquire about a hotel for the evening of the gala.