The dogs were the hit Tuesday afternoon at the Warwick Animal Shelter, although giant checks were the marquis attraction.

As representatives from three rescue organizations and legislators gathered under the outdoor enclosure of the shelter, two of the shelter’s canine residents joined them. One of the dogs loved the attention while the other shyly accepted pats.

Either way, they were the focus and brought home the ultimate mission of the golf tournament – the Shekarchi Scramble – held this summer at Quidnesset Country Club.

This was the second year House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, who has a rescue dog, has sponsored the event for the benefit of Friends of the Warwick Animal Shelter, Anchor Paws Rescue and Vintage Pet Rescue. Shekarchi doesn’t golf, but that hasn’t deterred him from hosting the tournament widely attended by legislators, state officials and those backing the cause.

All three organizations benefiting from the tournament are run by volunteers with distinct missions of helping homeless animals.

Funds raised after paying expenses went to the organizations.

Friends of the Warwick Animal Shelter was the recipient of a $22,597.22 donation (50 percent of the proceeds). Anchor Paws Rescue and Vintage Pet Rescue each received a donation of $11,298.61.

According to Judy Salvadore, president of Friends, the funds come after a difficult time for the nonprofits when intakes have outpaced adoptions, and pets have generally received less veterinary care due to the downturn in the economy and Covid restrictions. Therefore humane organizations are spending more money on helping more unwanted animals be healthy and adoptable.

 “The Speaker's event again came at a crucial time for us. Our shelter does not charge for all the extras such as bloodwork, tests, surgeries, etc. in order to keep adoption fees reasonable. Veterinary care is expensive: very few people would pay $3,000 to adopt a senior dog! Friends of the Warwick Animal Shelter is donor-funded, and donations like this help animals get healthy and keep adoption fees low. We are grateful to the Speaker and his team for their hard work on the golf scramble to make it a tremendous success for our shelter animals, the community, and other homeless animals around the state.” said Salvadore.

Speaker Shekarchi, a lifelong Warwick resident, is a longtime supporter of Friends of the Warwick Animal Shelter and has an especially strong love for dogs.

Friends of the Warwick Animal Shelter was founded in 2001 to help the homeless animals at Warwick Animal Shelter through programs of assistance, education and public awareness. FOWAS believes every animal deserves a second chance.