By Kathryn Schiliro
Managing Editor

Companion Animal Rescue's (CARI) upcoming fund-raiser is giving Morgan County residents reason to do some spring cleaning.
The event, called "When the Dogs Bark," is set to feature a yard sale, community pet fair and bake sale, and will be held, rain or shine, on Saturday, April 11 from 10 a.m. until dusk at North Main Village, 311 North Main Street in Madison. Parking and entrance into the event are free, and open to the public.
The organization is currently accepting donations for the yard sale, also being billed as a chance for locals to de-clutter their homes and stock up on bargains, and will be until Thursday, April 9. Item donations are 100 percent tax-deductible (in fact, those who donate will be given a form to that end directly upon release of their items), and CARI asks that donations be in good condition, whether the items are new or used.
Want to donate but can't transport your goods? Members of CARI are available to pick up donated items.
The community pet fair, to be held in conjunction with the yard sale, is set to include information and sign-up opportunities for volunteer programs, on-the-spot pet adoptions and spay and neuter coupons. Door prizes will be given throughout the day, and food, specifically desserts, will also be available as CARI will also be holding a bake sale.
Finally, "When the Dogs Bark" will be the site of CARI's raffle drawing for their Grand Prize Gift Basket; at a value of over $2,000, the gift basket includes goods from Morgan County retailers as well as coupons for many local services. Tickets for this raffle are $5 a piece and are currently available at Perk Avenue, Madison Drug, Laughing Moon and In High Cotton. Tickets for the raffle will also be sold at the event.
CARI is also currently selling tickets for the raffle of a four-night Cancun getaway, courtesy of Vacation Express. These tickets are also $5 a piece, are available at Perk Avenue, Madison Drug, Laughing Moon and In High Cotton, and will be sold through Friday, May 15. This raffle will be held at a spring reception, hosted by CARI, also on Friday, May 15.
For more information on "When the Dogs Bark" or to schedule an appointment for drop-off or pick-up of donated yard sale items, call Donna at 706.818.0144 or Alex at 207.604.6426.

Printed in the March 19, 2009 Edition.