Greyhound Friends Craft Show & Pet Expo Comes to Westfield

The Greyhound Friends of New Jersey will host its 17th Annual Craft Show & Pet Show on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 at the Westfield Armory from 9 a .m. to 5 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The fundraiser will feature various vendors selling items for people and their pets, as well as live music, a bake sale and a raffle.

In 2012, the event was rescheduled due to Superstorm Sandy, so this year the organization is offering a special seminar on emergency pet preparedness. It will offer information on how to make a first aid kit at home, advice on sheltering and how to keep pets calm during an event.

Hand-outs will be available with resources pet owners may find useful to prepare for before or after an event.

The money raised by GFNJ help pay for the care of greyhounds before they find permanent homes. This includes spaying, neutering, dental care, heartworm testing and more. The funds also support greyhounds who may be injured during races.

“This important fundraiser is crucial in our efforts to rescue, provide medical care and find safe, loving homes for retired racing greyhounds,” Linda Lyman, GFNJ president said, "We welcome back our Presenting Sponsors: NorthStar VETS, Shreiber Animal Foundation Enterprise (SAFE), and Valley Veterinary Hospital. We are grateful to JL Media, Inc., Ace of Spays, Garden State Veterinary Specialists, and Red Bank Animal Hospital for their sponsorship. We rely on donations to do our work since adoption fees don't come close to covering our expenses for each dog we rescue. Greyhounds make such wonderful pets and we want everyone to know that."

Singer Carolyn Messina will be performing at the event. Information on owning a retired greyhound will also be offered at the event.

For Craft Show, pictures of available greyhounds, adoption applications and vendor details visit www.gfnj.org or contact Ellen Ganopoulos at 973-759-0461 or redreeper@aol.com. Interested vendors can contact Patty at patty.comerford@gmail.com.

Those interested in adopting a greyhound can contact Linda Lyman at lelyman7@verizon.net or 732-356-4370.