By: Natalie Hamilton, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, KawarthaNOW

From raising money to support dog rescue efforts to finding new foster families for pups, K9Crusaders is wagging its tail in anticipation of its upcoming holiday market in Cobourg.

The Northumberland County-based dog rescue presents its annual Christmas affair from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday (November 16) at the Columbus Community Centre, which is located at 232 Spencer St. E. in Cobourg. The event features a variety of vendors showcasing services and treats for people and pets alike. 

Helen Firing of K9Crusaders tells kawarthaNOW the rescue requires foster homes and funds, and hopes the event provides opportunities to meet both needs.

"Besides funds, the other top need of any rescue is foster families," Firing said. "All our rescued dogs need a home base to decompress and heal while we complete their vet workups."

Many of its canines need neutering and dental work. The rescue pays for all the medical treatments and food. Fostering duration can range from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the dog, Firing noted.

"We ask foster families to be willing to get their fosters to and from their vet appointments at our partner vet in Port Hope and to bring them out to events like our holiday market to meet prospective adopters," she said. "It's a very rewarding experience. It's not uncommon for what we call a foster fail to occur, which is when the foster family fall hard for their little visitor and opt to adopt themselves. It's a win-win either way."

The "Warm Wishes and Wet Kisses Holiday Market" celebrates the holiday season and support the rescue at the same time. Leashed dogs are welcome to at the event.

There will be home-baked goods for humans and a festive biscuit wreath for canines. Visitors can shop the "holiday dog" Christmas table and prize table. Many local vendors will be on hand, including K9 Pantry with dog treats and pottery by Mack's Mugs. 

Other vendors include Jig-Sea Beach Glass, with its artwork created using beachcombed finds, and Little Glass Frog, which produces original stained-glass pieces.  Patrons can also shop the Pooch's Cupboard, Newfygirl Creations, Flaming Serpent, Noble Nibbles, and more.

K9Crusaders welcomes back pet photographer, Dorothy Puddester of Hooves and Paws Photography, who is donating her time and talent to capture canine visitors against a holiday backdrop.

Meanwhile, Katrina Evans, owner of Kat's in the Doghouse Pet Grooming in Port Hope, is offering $10 nail trims for pups and will donate all of the money collected to the rescue. 

K9Crusaders will be present to share more information about fostering, adoption, and volunteering for the rescue. Several adoptable pups will be making appearances throughout the day.

"Because we are a 100 per cent volunteer-run organization, we rely heavily on events such as our holiday market to raise funds to support the care of our rescued dogs while they wait to find their forever homes," K9Crusaders noted in a media release. 

"Like pretty much everywhere, the COVID-19 pandemic affected rescue work a lot," Firing said. "Pet lovers stuck at home decided to add a four-legged friend, but once the world opened back up, they went back to work, leaving a dog alone at home when it was used to being around its people all the time."

"This, and the fact that many pandemic puppies were under-socialized because of the lockdown, led to behaviour problems, which in turn led to many people looking to surrender their 'bad' dogs. Shelters and then rescues were overrun and it's a problem we are still dealing with," she explained.

Firing said the best outcome of the event would be finding new homes for its pups. 

"Our holiday market has in the past made many a love connection between our foster dogs and their forever families and that is always the best thing to come out of this."

Established in 2013, K9Crusaders is a not-for-profit all-breed dog rescue that helps rehabilitate and rehome canines, many transferred from high-kill shelters in Quebec. 

Many of the rescued animals in care are seniors and those with high medical needs. Some of the dogs remain with the rescue as compassionate care fosters to live out their days surrounded by love and supported medically by the rescue. 

K9Crusaders is always looking for volunteers and fosters, as well as donations of both funds and supplies. For more information, visit the website at www.k9c.ca.