DOBSON — More than 40 dogs and their owners turned out for the Doggie Easter Egg Hunt Sunday to raise money to help fund medical expenses for dogs up for adoption.

The event was co-sponsored by Mayberry 4 Paws and People Helping Pets. Michelle Hall and Tucker won first place in the Best Easter Outfit contest. Hall came to Fisher River Park from Hickory just to enter the contest with her long-haired pie bald Dachshund. She decorated a child’s wagon with a green skirt and adorned it with Easter decorations. Tucker was dressed in a full-body Easter Bunny costume.

Angy Richardson came all the way from Lexington for the event. She brought Lacey, a chow mix, and Cooper, a Pomeranian she adopted at last year’s event.

“It was love at first sight,” she said. “We try to get up here as much as possible.”

A pet fashion show was sponsored by Froo Froo Pet Boutique. After the winners of the Best Easter Bonnet contest and Best Easter Outfit were announced, dogs and their owners lined up for the main event, an Easter egg hunt that took all of about three minutes.

The eggs contained dog treats and coupons from Pet Sense.

Jane Taylor, who is in charge of Mayberry 4 Paws, said she was pleased with the turnout.

“Considering the fact that it was raining part of the day, I’m very pleased,” Taylor said. Mayberry 4 Paws raises money for People Helping Pets and other organizations that help rescue animals.

Sherry Azelton with People Helping Pets was at the event with Kimmie, a Golden Retriever and Collie mix, who is up for adoption. She has 15 dogs that need homes, along with five guinea pigs and two hamsters.

People Helping Pets charges a $60 adoption fee, which includes all of the shots, a deworming and a spay or neuter.

“We are just trying to find them homes. We aren’t trying to make money,” said Azelton, who said most of the money to feed the animals comes right out of her and her volunteers’ pockets. She is hoping to find more volunteers to help foster the animals until they can be adopted.

Azelton hears story after story about dogs and cats that are taken to neighborhoods and abandoned. She wants to start a Safe Surrender Site much like the ones for infants. She said she would rather people call her if they cannot afford to take care of their pets anymore, rather than just dumping them out on the side of the road.

Azelton can be reached through Petfinder.com under the heading of People Helping Pets or at 648-9053. Michelle Goad, who also helps with the organization, can be reached at (276) 733-4524. Goad takes in unwanted cats and puts them up for adoption.

Contact Mondee Tilley at mtilley@mtairynews.com or at 719-1930.