Kootenai Pets for Life's Bow Wow Bash a big success

SCOTT SHINDLEDECKER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 months, 2 weeks AGO

Sydney Davis, left, the shelter manager at Kootenai Pets for Life, and her friend, Ben Brosius, shows off "Mama" Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, at the group's Bow Wow Bash fundraiser at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Harper Erdman Post 1548 in Libby. Mama is one of many cats and dogs available for adoption. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)

Jaxon, a 9-year-old Malamute is one of the dogs and cats available for adoption at Kootenai Pets for Life. The group held its annual fund raiser, the Bow Wow Bash Saturday, Oct. 14, 2025, at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Harper Erdman Post 1548 in Libby. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Harper Erdman Post 1548 in Libby was packed Saturday night for the Kootenai Pets for Life's Bow Wow Bash. The fundraiser helps raise money to run the facility. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)

A Kootenai Pets for Life supporter gives "Mia" a back scratch Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, at the group's Bow Wow Bash fundraiser at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Harper Erdman Post 1548 in Libby. "Mia" is one of many cats and dogs available for adoption. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)

Animal lovers of all ages had a good time at the Kootenai Pets for Life's Bow Wow Bash Saturday, Oct. 14, 2025, at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Harper Erdman Post 1548 in Libby. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)

Kootenai Pets for Life volunteers set up the silent auction table for last Saturday's Bow Wow Bash at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Harper Erdman Post 1548 in Libby. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)

Kootenai Pets for Life’s Bow Wow Bash was a big success.

Organizers Randi Birdsell and Deirdre Ruark were pleased with the turnout of more than 100 people and the generosity from the area community members and businesses which donated to KPFL.

"Sindy Filler did an awesome job as the auctioneer and thank you to VFW for allowing us to host our event in your community room," Ruark said.

The fundraiser, held last Saturday at the Harper Erdman Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1548, netted about $13,300 which will help pay for pet food, animal care as well as vaccinations, rabies shots and spaying and neutering services.

Noble Excavating, Switchback Restaurant, Big Sky Lumber and A Cut Above were among the many donors to the event which featured 68 items in the live auction and 118 in the silent auction. Memberships to Kootenai Nordic Club, Pure North and Ascend Climbing were fun and coveted items bid upon. Bull River Veterinary Clinic donated two cat spays worth $300 each.

KPFL also sold tickets at the Libby Chamber of Commerce and did double the amount of business at the location.

Attendees also got to meet some of the animals that are available for adoption at the no-kill shelter. There were two black cats, including “Mama,” and 6-year-old “Mia,” a sweet, Husky mix, who really enjoys having her ears and butt scratched.

Another that made an appearance was 9-year-old Jaxon, a very friendly Husky.

According to the shelter’s website, there are 27 cats available and six dogs. Photos and bios of the pets may be seen at https://kootenaipetsforlife.com/.

For those interested in the group, it meets the third Wednesday of each month at 3:30 p.m. at the Country Inn in Libby.

For more information, send them an email at [email protected] or call 406-293-5735.

The shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Apointment can also be made to come in at other times if those hours do not work. It is located at 125 County Shop Road in Libby.