Newberry photographer unleashes Pooch Playoffs National Competition and Fundraiser
Press release from Kathy Cafazzo Photography
NEWBERRY, Fla. – North Central Florida is a sports-crazed community. It also loves its furry friends. So combining both seemed like a perfect way to see the area’s cutest canines and unleash some cute competition, all while raising money for our local Humane Society.
Kathy Cafazzo, owner of Kathy Cafazzo Photography, has always loved pets. So when the opportunity to help the Humane Society of North Central Florida presented itself, she jumped on it.
“I’m a member of a national photography group, and several of us were talking about our love of pets. We also talked a lot about the popularity of sports in our respective area. So, the idea of holding an event called the Pooch Playoffs sounded amazing – especially when we could all help a local charity. The NCAA Basketball tournament and March Madness are right around the corner, and the Pooch Playoffs will coincide with that excitement,” Cafazzo said.
The bracket-style competition will be unleashed on March 19 – the date of the NCAA’s “First Four” games – with 16 pooches competing for exciting prizes from a number of pet-loving sponsors and the ulti-mutt prize. A few of the current sponsors include The Home Depot, PetSmart, and Pinspiration of Gainesville. In each round, two dogs will face off in an online vote. Each winner advances with the goal to be voted the Ulti-mutt Cutie of North Central Florida! Our winner will move on to a national competition.
Cafazzo will photograph 16 pooches through March 13 for a $99 donation to the Humane Society of North Central Florida, which receives 100% of the proceeds from the event. The $99 donation includes the photo session, an acrylic photo keychain of the pup, and a goodie bag of treats from pet-friendly businesses throughout our community.
“It’s funny – our pets are such important members of our families, yet most of us don’t think to have a professional photo taken of them. The Pooch Playoffs gives everyone a fun way to get a portrait of their pet made, by a professional who knows how to photograph pets, while also supporting the Humane Society,” Cafazzo said.
Cute canines can have their humans register them online at www.KathyCafazzoPhotography/Pooch-Playoffs. Local businesses can also join the event using the same link to learn about sponsorship opportunities.