By Shane Lucero | Rugby’s Rescue House
Come out and support Rugby’s Rescue House, a local nonprofit dog rescue, on April 23 with the inaugural Brews for Rescues Beer Fest.
Brews for Rescues is a family-friendly beer festival that will be held at Yamaguchi Park and will feature a community dog walk, fun dog show, live music by the Elder Grown, vendors and, of course, an unlimited beer tasting with some of the region’s best breweries.
The day of family- and dog-friendly fun will start at noon with a community dog walk. Girl Scout Troop No. 26237 will lead the way around Yamaguchi Park. After the dog walk, there will be a fun dog show with categories for every dog such as best smile, best trick, best wag, owner dog look-alike, etc. After the dog show, the gates open for the beer tasting at 2 p.m.
Tickets for the unlimited beer tasting are $40, which will allow you access to sample over 40 different beers from some of your favorite breweries such as Eddyline, Riff Raff, Tommyknocker, Ska, Carver’s Brewing, Pagosa Brewing, The Breakroom, Red River Brewing, Mancos Brewing, Square Peg Brewerks, Lauter Haus, Marble Brewing and more.
Rugby’s Rescue House was established in December 2019. Its founder, Amy Wilson, has worked in the veterinary industry for more than 20 years and seen firsthand the homeless and neglected dogs coming from the surrounding Native American reservations.
In August 2005, Amy and her husband, Rok, adopted their first rescue dog, Rugby, after Hurricane Katrina. Rugby lived a very happy life until he passed away in November of 2018 at the age of 17. That is when Amy knew she wanted to start a rescue to fill the void Rugby left in their hearts. Since then, their mission has always been to “Rescue, Save and Repeat” the process while educating the community about the importance of spaying/neutering and vaccinations.
To date, Rugby’s Rescue House has saved/re-homed more than 250 puppies and dogs and has helped many more through their spay/neuter clinics, as well as their vaccination clinics they hold around the region, such as one last weekend in Dulce, N.M.
Rugby’s Rescue is a volunteer- and donation-based organization. They do not receive any federal or state funding. The organization is based on fundraising and donations of many forms. Of course, attending events such as Brews for Rescues helps, but you can also donate time, in-kind donations such as dog toys, blankets and towels, and even sign up to be a foster parent for puppies or tired mammas. Fostering dogs is a great way to help socialize, train and help an animal become more adoptable. Fostering is also a great option for those who are not ready for a full-time commitment of having a lifelong pet, but can help out from time to time.
If you’re a beer lover, a dog lover or just a lover of fun, come out to Yamaguchi Park on Saturday, April 23, and support Rugby’s at the Brews for Rescues — Beer Fest.
If your four-legged friend is well behaved and gets along with other dogs and humans, feel free to bring them as well (must be on a leash). There will be a huge tent set up. This is a rain, snow or sun event. There’s no better way to spend the day than with your best friend having a beer.
We hope to see you on Saturday at what is truly a “Cause for Paws.” For more information about Rugby’s, visit www.RugbysRescue.com. For tickets, visit www.brewsforrescues2022.eventbrite.com or get tickets at the gate.
