SPCA’s Puppy Plunge at Camp Letts to Feature Dog Bikini Contest

Mark your calendars for Aug. 19, when the SPCA will hold their first Puppy Plunge event at YMCA Camp Letts in Edgewater. This will be a “whole family” event with activities for adults, children and their canine companions. Money collected will benefit the SPCA of Anne Arundel County.

The Puppy Plunge will run from noon to 4 p.m. on Aug. 19. Proceeds will benefit the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) of Anne Arundel County.

On the hour, puppies will be encouraged to “plunge” into the Rhode River. Mercifully, the water will be warmer (about 85°F) than the temperatures during the Maryland State Police Department’s annual “Polar Bear Plunge” (about 40°F) in January.

The SPCA of Anne Arundel County serves all of Anne Arundel County and is not affiliated with any other organization (Humane Society, ASPCA, Animal Control, etc.). They get all of their funding from community members, businesses and through fundraisers like this one. The money raised at the event will help to fund animal care at their Annapolis facility. They currently have about 150 dogs and 250 cats.

Mindy Nelson of the SPCA said that the society not only takes in animals from throughout the county, but also helps to educate the public about animal care, animal welfare and the need for spaying and neutering. She said that they also offer low-cost spaying and neutering for cats and “Pit Bull” American Terrier breeds.

At the Puppy Plunge, there will be something for the humans in the family too. SPCA organizers promise food, canoeing, vendors, games, contests and children’s activities. For music, they’ll have the Biondi Brothers and the Annapolis School of Rock. They want attendees to bring lawn chairs and beach blankets and settle in for the afternoon.

For the children, they can enjoy a moonbounce, games and crafts at the Children’s Corner.

Think that your [female dog] looks hot in this season’s Tommy ‘Bowow’ Bahama swimwear? Well then you’d better dress her up and enter her in the Doggy Bikini contest.

Maybe she’s not much of a looker. Well, they will have an Ugly Dog contest too.

Sponsors of the event include:

• Perfect Pet Resort (Lothian)
• Waugh Chapel Animal Hospital
• Spoiled Rotten Dogs (Annapolis)
• Graul‘s Market (Cape St. Claire)
• Simko Creative
• Happy Tails Resort (Crownsville)
• Pet Barn (Annapolis)
• Chesapeake Family Magazine
• Greater South River Animal Hospital
• Jaklitsch Law Group
• Greater Annapolis Veterinary Hospital, and
•  Country Critters Boarding & Training

Puppy Plunge tickets are just $5. Children under 10 (and dogs of any age) are free. Tickets will be available from the sponsors listed above or at the gate.

To become a sponsor or vendor, call or email Mindy S. Nelson, fundraising and event coordinator at 410-268-4388, Ext. 142.

(Full disclosure: South River Source is a media sponsor of the event.)