Annual PAAS Poker Run Rides to Rescue Homeless Animals Saturday, Oct. 7

The Peaceful Animal Adoption Shelter (PAAS) in Vinita invites you to take a ride to help rescue homeless pets in the area. On Saturday, Oct. 7, the nonprofit organization is hosting its annual Ride to Rescue Poker Run. A fundraiser for PAAS, the poker run gives riders a chance to see a bit of the countryside and enjoy a fun day with friends while helping a good cause at the same time.

Motorcycles, cars and pickups, if it has wheels you’ll see it at the annual PAAS poker run. The day starts at 9 a.m. when riders will sign in at PAAS, 628 S. Wilson, in Vinita. The last bike or vehicle will be out on the road by 11 a.m.

The second stop of the poker run is at Happy Jacks, 1448 Iris Road, in Seneca, Mo. From there, riders will head to Kick Off, 900 E. Owens Boulevard, in Miami, before making their way to Hatfield’s, 4707 Highway 59 North, in Grove.

The fifth and final stop on the PAAS Ride to Rescue Poker Run is Road Hog Saloon, 55900 E. Highway 854, at the entrance to Monkey Island. The last rider in is at 4 p.m.

At each stop, riders will collect a card for their poker hands. The winning hands will be announced at the Road Hog Saloon. The high hand will win $250 and the low hand $100. There will also be a 50/50 drawing and both a live and silent auction.

Some of the featured items in the auction include dinner for eight at Big Creek Ranch, which includes a Clydesdale-drawn carriage ride tour of the ranch, a two-night weekend Grand Lake getaway with dinner for two at The Artichoke, helicopter tour of Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, prime rib dinner for four at Road Hog Saloon, a pampered dog gift basket from Doggie Doo’s Grooming, gift certificate from Janet’s Home Accents & Gifts, a Russian vodka set, biker memorabilia and accessories, Bones Virgin Island rum and glasses, a Road Hog Saloon hoodie and so much more.

J.B. Robison will be the auctioneer for the live auction at Road Hog Saloon.

All of the proceeds from the poker run and auction will benefit PAAS, helping the organization feed and medicate the dogs and cats it transfers out of state to be adopted. The monies raised also help PAAS support its programs.

A Good Cause

Since PAAS opened in Vinita in 2015, the animal welfare organization has saved more than 2,000 dogs and cats by finding them forever homes where they are both wanted and loved.

The volunteers and staff at PAAS work very hard to fulfill the organization’s stated mission of saving thousands of homeless pets. In addition to transferring 30-45 plus pets to Colorado every week for adoption through its Ride to Rescue program, PAAS also addresses the pet overpopulation problem in Vinita and the surrounding area with a low-cost spay and neuter program.

PAAS has also partnered with Northeast Oklahoma Correctional Center on an inmate/shelter dog training program, which allows shelter dogs to live with NOCC inmates who will train them in basic obedience so they can be successfully adopted.

With 67 participants, last year’s Ride to Rescue Poker Run and auction raised more than $10,000 to help homeless animals.

The annual PAAS Ride to Rescue Poker Run is your chance to lend the folks at PAAS a hand by helping them raise money to support their mission of helping homeless dogs and cats find forever homes.

For more information on the poker run, call PAAS at (918) 256-7227, visit the website at paasvinita.com or the PAAS Vinita Facebook page.