PORT ANGELES — Homeless pets will be seen prowling the catwalk this Saturday — in fashion models’ arms or posing beside them.
They’re part of the second annual “Rescues & Runaways” fashion show presented by Maurice’s, the clothing boutique at 104 W. First St.
The music for the show will start at 2 p.m., and admission is free, said Maurice’s manager LeAnn Forkan.
At the Conrad Dyar Memorial Fountain, outside the shop at First and Laurel streets, models will show off Maurice’s fall fashions, along with a few of the adoptable animals at the Olympic Peninsula Humane Society.
“We’re also having a silent auction, with all of the proceeds going to the Humane Society,” Forkan said.
Maurice’s is also collecting donations of pet food, cat litter, pet toys, cleaning supplies and plain old cash for the Humane Society, whose shelter is located at 2105 West U.S. Highway 101.
“We really need kitten food and canned puppy food,” said Sara Spears, the shelter’s office administrator.
“We’re also low on paper towels, and we always need nonclumping cat litter.”
Maurice’s, which calls itself a “small-town specialty store for the savvy, fashion-conscious,” has been in downtown Port Angeles since November 1986, and just last year joined the nationwide Rescues & Runaways effort.
The 2009 fashion shows, at Maurice’s locations across the country, generated some $50,000 in monetary donations, Forkan said.
Those contributions were funneled to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for its national programs.
At the same time, more than 1,000 animals were adopted through 2009’s Rescues & Runaways events, Forkan added.
The Olympic Peninsula Humane Society is “overwhelmed” with adult dogs and cats, Spears said, so it is offering a 50 percent discount on adoption fees, which range from $35 to $100.
The shelter has 18 adult dogs, 36 adult cats, 11 kittens and seven puppies needing homes, she said Tuesday.
On Saturday, just a few adoptable dogs will attend the downtown Port Angeles show, while the Humane Society will have its “look book,” an album of dogs and cats needing homes, on hand for would-be adopters to thumb through.
Those who come in with donations of money or pet supplies will receive coupons for 20 percent off regular-priced items at Maurice’s, said Forkan.
“It’s a great cause,” she added. “Come see some cute animals, and kick off the fall.”
For details about the Rescues & Runaways event, visit www.maurices.com or phone 360-452-2266.
To learn more about adopting a pet, visit the humane society’s website, www.CCHumane.com.
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Features Editor Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-417-3550 or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.