More than $500 was raised at a dog wash to benefit the Friends of Montclair Township Animal Shelter (FOMTAS) held recently at Montclair Feed and Pet Supply. Twenty dogs were brought in by their families to get freshened up in the dog washing tubs at the back of the store and ranged in size from a tiny Shih Tzu to a massive English Sheep Dog. The manpower was provided by students from Montclair High School, and the use of the tubs, water, and shampoo were generously donated by store owner Joel Tabor.

Annette Kuehn, faculty advisor for the Key Club at Montclair High School, organized and recruited the students for sudsing up and toweling down the pooches. Students included Natalie Ackerman, Stella Balsaminni, Seth Campbell, Isabel Kashi, Hallie Meisler, Cristina Renee Pilego, Beryl Rosenblum, and Tamara Sullivan.

All proceeds went to Friends of Montclair Animal Shelter (FOMTAS), a newly formed 501c3. The mission of the FOMTAS is to support the work of the shelter through fundraising for needs above and beyond the shelter’s budget, further enhancing the quality of life for the animals at the shelter. FOMTAS strives to raise awareness of the shelter’s adoptable animals, educate the community on responsible and humane companion animal care, and assist in connecting the shelter’s animals with families who can give them safe and loving homes.

Based on the success of this event, another dog wash is already being planned for the spring.

Photo Caption: Natalie Ackerman, left, and Cristina Rene Pilego of Montclair High School bathe one of the 20 dogs at the recent dog wash benefit held at Montclair Feed and Pet Supply.