New 'pawfficer' program promotes dog adoption in Fox Chapel
Fox Chapel Borough officials and the Fox Chapel Police Department are looking to beef up dog adoption awareness with a new program.
A rescue dog named Mr. Beefaroni was the first of many dogs that will hopefully find their furever homes through the “K9 Officer for a Day” initiative.
The program is sponsored by the Fox Chapel Police Department in collaboration with Fox Chapel Borough.
Mr. Beefaroni, believed to be 4 years old and a Mastiff-mix, was honored June 11 as the guest ‘pawfficer” and was sworn in as such by Magisterial District Judge Matthew Rudzki.
A crowd of about 20 community members gathered at the Cooper-Siegel Community Library to witness a freshly groomed Mr. Beefaroni (thanks to a complimentary service from Fluff in Blawnox) take his oath via a paw print on a certificate.
Fox Chapel Community Relations Officer Sergeant Craig Sorg organized the public meet-and-greet and honorary swearing-in ceremony.
“We’re hoping Mr. Beefaroni gets adopted out,” Sorg said.
Refreshments were served and attendees gathered to snap pics, pet Mr. Beefaroni and learn more about adoption.
Mr. Beefaroni lapped up all of the attention, along with numerous snacks from his Humane Animal Rescue behavior manager Cienna Chefren, on hand to help facilitate Mr. Beefaroni’s day.
“He’s a gentle guy,” said Humane Animal Rescue director of marketing Michele Frennier, adding Mr. Beefaroni’s background remains mostly a mystery. “But he enjoys life and cuddles. He’s really a sweetheart.”
Borough assistant to the manager Shawn Peterson pitched the idea after noticing the nearby Bethel Park Police Department has a similar program.
Peterson attended and said she consulted with a police department in Tybee Island, Ga., to organize the new program in Fox Chapel.
“The ultimate goal is the find the dogs a home,” said Peterson, of West Deer. “We want to promote pet adoption.”
The program plans to organize four ‘pawfficer” swear-ins this year at three other borough events scheduled during September, October and December.
Different animal rescues will be highlighted, but for now, all will be dogs.
“We’re just delighted and we think this is a wonderful opportunity to spotlight the animals that need homes. There are so many great animals out there waiting for a home,” Frennier said.
Humane Animal Rescue has three locations: domestic shelters in Pittsburgh’s Homewood West and North Side neighborhoods, and a wild animal rescue in Verona.
Mr. Beefaroni’s adoption fee is $200.
humaneanimalrescue.org
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
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