RUMFORD — The River Valley Animal Advocates is inviting dog owners to have their pets photographed in costume from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at The Tractor Supply.

The event is a fundraiser for the organization.

Becky McDonald, president of River Valley Animal Advocates, said the nonprofit group “did something like this during Tractor Supply’s Pet Appreciation Day.

“We haven’t been able to do our regular fundraisers this year, and we had so much fun with the dogs at the Pet Appreciation Day earlier this year,” McDonald said. “We’ve had the idea to do a pet photograph fundraiser for awhile, so this is exciting.”

The pictures will cost $10 each, with the photographs being emailed to residents.

“For an extra cost, we can get prints done for you, if you don’t have an email address,” McDonald said.

The pictures will be taken by residents Jade Castellano and Deann DeBaets, McDonald said. Dog owners can dress their dogs in a costume if they wish.

“We’ll take regular portrait photos, in addition to costume photos,” McDonald said.

“I know that Tractor Supply is advertising that people can bring their cats for pictures, too,” McDonald said. “I’m not sure how well a cat would react to a crowd of people, but if you have a mellow cat, we can take the picture.”

The River Valley Animal Advocates organized in 2009.

“To date, we’ve helped over 800 cats get spayed, neutered and vaccinated,” McDonald said. “When you stop and think about the amount of kittens that could’ve been born otherwise, it’s made a real difference. We’ve had some animal control officers tell us that they’ve had less complaints. There’s a ripple effect.”

For more information on the fundraiser, call McDonald at 357-2666.

mdaigle@sunmediagroup.net