- September 22, 2024
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Hush Puppy Haven is on a mission to protect pets in Volusia County from domestic violence.
“If [the Domestic Abuse Council] has someone that needs to go into their facility, the survivor is not allowed to bring their pet with them,” said Brandy Rehrmann, Hush Puppy Haven director of events and fundraising. “So, we will foster the pet for them while they’re in the shelter getting the help they need.”
To help raise money for the nonprofit, the second-annual Mutt Putt was held on Saturday, Nov. 4, at Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf in Ormond Beach.
Ten teams of four competed on Saturday, and there were open, non-competitive play options on Saturday and Sunday.
Rehrmann said the inaugural event last year raised $4,526. This year, the nonprofit raised a little over $3,500.
Entry fees, raffle tickets, 50/50 and a rubber duck race were set up to raise money throughout the two-day event, which was presented by Fields Auto Group of Daytona Beach.
With Hush Puppy Haven being the only 501(c)(3) nonprofit of its kind in Volusia County, Rehrmann said she’s passionate about making a difference locally.
“A lot of times, [the pets] come from a difficult situation, so they may not be up to date on their shots and things like that, so we try to get them in a perfect, pristine condition,” she said. “Once [the domestic abuse victim] leaves the shelter, the ultimate goal is to always reunite the pet with their owner.”
As an owner of a 4-year-old golden retriever named Chesney, Rehrmann said she’s an animal lover, which is why she started volunteering with Hush Puppy Haven.
“I knew that there was a need for the organization, unfortunately, so I wanted to do whatever I could to help out,” she said.
For more information, visit hushpuppyhaven.org.