An animal rescue group is organizing a Halloween event to help stray and abandoned dogs.
Northern Critters In Need will hold a Little Monsters Mash from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 26 at Primavera Banquet Hall at 256 Wellington St. W.
The hall’s tables and chairs will be put to one side and a full haunted house display will be set up for spooky fun.
Admission is free but Northern Critters in Need is asking for donations of dog food, dog toys, blankets and other items that the organization can use for the dogs they rescue.
Financial donations are also welcome and can be placed in a box that will be available at the haunted house display.
“We take abandoned dogs and cats, but mostly dogs. They’re abandoned, they’re strays or they’re dogs that the OSPCA has taken away from people,” said Aimee Van Scoy, Northern Critters In Need spokesperson.
“We rescue dogs and we try to find the owners. If we can't find their owners, then we try to find them another home and give them another chance at life.”
Those intending to visit the Little Monsters Mash on Sunday are instructed to enter the back door of Primavera Banquet Hall.
“Dogs are welcome and there is pizza and pop offered for a small price. There are treat bags for kids and treat bags for pets and there is a space for photos to be taken. It's a fun-filled evening for people,” Van Scoy said.
There are several Northern Critters in Need pet shelters located throughout northern Ontario.
The shelter nearest to Sault Ste. Marie is situated in Hilton Beach on St. Joseph Island.
Northern Critters in Need is headquartered in Ignace, Ont., in the Kenora District between Thunder Bay and Dryden.
Prior to Northern Critters In Need’s Little Monsters Mash, the public is invited to get a good scare from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25 at the Carter Haunted Yard located at 143 Churchill Ave. off Peoples Road.
There will be spooky Halloween decorations set up in the yard and photo booth opportunities will be available with life-sized horror characters such as Art the Clown and Ghostface.
Admission is by donation to the Sault Ste. Marie Humane Society.
Monetary gifts as well as pet food, pet care supplies and towels are welcome.
Visitors are invited to wear Halloween costumes.
Pets are welcome.
There will also be a prize basket raffle available for those who bring a donation.