A bride from Missouri used her big day to spread awareness on a cause she cared deeply about: finding rescue dogs forever homes.
To raise awareness about them, Sally Burky had her bridesmaids walk with shelter dogs rather than with bouquets on May 11, The Cassville Democrat reported on May 22.
Burky saw the idea of having dogs in a wedding on Pinterest and adopted to promote her advocacy. She immediately thought of partnering with no-kill shelter Haven of Ozarks.
The shelter holds a special place for her because it took in two dogs that she had rescued. Though she has not yet adopted from the organization, she has been a regular donor.
The bride got in touch with Haven of Ozarks in March, and five dogs were delivered on the big day. Haven director of operations Sherah Farris said the five were not trained but remained behaved.
Burky considered the dogs at her wedding, so the ceremony was kept short. After the wdding, the canines stayed at the entrance so guests could meet them. One guest donated $200 (P10,400) to the organization.
In the weeks that followed, the dogs’ appearance at the wedding inspired others to donate, raising $2,000 (around P104,000) for the shelter, Farris told Business Insider Singapore on Wednesday, May 29.
Four of the five dogs have since been adopted. The only one left is Yazzy, a 6-year-old dog whose senior owner passed away.
Burky and her husband, Cary, have promised to sponsor the adoption fee for the family who will adopt her. Niña V. Guno /ra
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