Rockin’ Rescue deemed a success

Organizers and participants of the eighth annual Rockin’ Rescue event at the Lehighton Community Grove on Saturday termed it a big success.

Or, as Christine Sweeney probably would say, it was “Pawsitively Purrfect.”

Sweeney is the president of Pawsitively Purrfect, one of about a half dozen animal rescue organizations that participated.

Besides stressing animal adoptions, Rockin’ Rescue also had live bands, a rabies clinic, food stands, a bounce house for children, pony rides and a car show by the Palmerton pacemakers.

Sweeney said this is the third year her group was at the event. She had two dogs and several kittens on display.

“I think it’s a very nice event,” Sweeney said. “It’s been busy pretty nonstop.”

She said several people have requested applications to adopt pets from her group.

Before adoptions occur, a representative of Pawsitively Purrfect visits the pet’s prospective home, makes sure any animals in the home are up-to-date on vaccines and takes steps to make sure the adoption is safe and legitimate.

The foster organization is based in Carbon County, she said.

Rockin’ Rescue is a joint venture of the Animal Shelter of Carbon and the Carbon County Friends of Animals. Animal Shelter of Carbon is not affiliated with the Carbon County Animal Shelter in Nesquehoning.

Neil Stubits, vice president of Rockin’ Rescue, said, “This is our annual main event that we organize ourselves, although we participate in other events.”

He said the bands donate their time for Rockin’ Rescue. “They’re here to bring people out,” to help support what we do for the animals.”

Bands which performed were Bee’s Knees, Bedlam Blues, Senile Delinquents and Bugsy’s Evolution.

Stubits said he was pleased with the turnout.

“It’s better than it’s been the past two years,” he said.

“We’re trying to educate the people on animal abuse or neglect and how we all need to work together and help,” Stubits said. “I think it’s educational and enjoyable for people to come out and see what animals are available to potentially adopt.”

Animals from the collection of Christina’s Reptile & Animal Sanctuary garnered the most attention.

Christina Obrecht of Palmerton, who heads the sanctuary, showed off Apollo, a 6-foot alligator who appeared friendly.

Spectators petted Apollo, posed for photos and walked with Obrecht.

Obrecht said she has been participating in Rockin’ Rescue since it started.

“Apollo comes every year for sure,” she said,

Christina’s Reptile & Animal Sanctuary also brought a woma python, a large tortoise and an Asia water monitor.

Obrecht said she has more than 100 animals at the sanctuary, including a crocodile.

Brock Moyer of Palmerton, who handled the womb python, said the Rockin’ Rescue is “a great event to get a bunch of people out who love animals.”

Many of the people who attended Rockin’ Rescue brought their own pets.

Stubits said the purpose for Rockin’ Rescue “is bringing together animal care and resources for residents of Carbon County and the surrounding areas.”