Just Animals is doggedly raising funds for cages

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SENECA –The village’s only no-kill animal shelter is having a hot dog eating competition.

“We are calling it the Dog Chow Contest,” noted Just Animals spokesman Jennifer Bilyeau of the event set for 8 p.m., Saturday, July 11, as part of the annual Seneca Summerfest celebration.

A Hot Dog Trophy will be presented to the winner, who must then defend his or her title during next year’s contest.

The event is a fundraiser for the shelter, which needs to replace its aged, outmoded steel mesh pens for homeless, abandoned, and stray dogs of the canine – not cuisine – type.

Rules and pledge sheets for the competition are ready to go. As a matter of fact, two 18-year-olds signed up Friday evening. They are the first to agree to participate.

“We’ll do it for the animals,” the two potential hot dog eaters told Bilyeau.

The shelter’s goal is for at least 15 participants.

“I don’t want anyone to get sick, so the contest will be to see who can eat six hot dogs and buns the fastest, instead of gorging for a set amount of time,” Bilyeau said.

To participate, everyone 18 years of age and older must sign up at least 20 pledges at a minimum of $5 per pledge.

“Our goal is to get at least 15 entrants,” Bilyeau added. “With each of the 15 participants getting at least 20 sponsors at $5 each, we hope to raise $2,000.”

All pledges will be collected prior to the event. All entrants will be given T-shirts. The evening of the contest, they are to check in at the registration table at the beer tent on Main Street.

The object is to eat as many hot dogs and buns with water as possible in 5 minutes. The hot dog and bun can be dunked and scrunched, or eaten separately.

For pledge sheets, contact Just Animals at (815) 3357-1223, or Bilyeau at (815) 357-8363.

Any money raised over and above the cost of the cages will go into the shelter’s land fund for a new location for the facility.

Bilyeau said the shelter is seeking two to three acres of land within a 15-mile radius of Seneca, preferably in La Salle County. However, the shelter would not turn down any offers in Grundy County within the 15-mile radius.