Sweetpea Is on the Move: Here’s What We’ve Been Up To

For more than a decade, Sweetpea F.O.R. Animals has carried the memory of what happened in 2015 – and the determination to keep moving forward.

When the devastating fire destroyed our shelter, we lost far more than a building. We lost animals we loved, a place our volunteers had poured their hearts into and a resource that had helped thousands of animals and families throughout Central Massachusetts.

But Sweetpea’s story didn’t end that night.

The story continues.

A New Chapter for Sweetpea

Over the past several months, there has been a lot happening behind the scenes.

Our board and volunteers have been working to rebuild Sweetpea not only physically, but as an active part of the community again. We’ve been updating our website and social media, reconnecting with longtime supporters, reaching new ones, fundraising and laying the groundwork for Sweetpea’s future.

Most importantly, we are working toward the day when Sweetpea can once again directly help animals in need.

Rebuilding after everything that happened hasn’t been simple. There have been setbacks, changing requirements, rising costs and plenty of challenges along the way. But through it all, our resilience and determination have kept us moving forward. The reason for rebuilding has never changed:

Every Life Matters.

And lately, it feels like there is new momentum around Sweetpea. People remember us. People are sharing our story. Businesses are stepping up. New volunteers and supporters are finding us. And our community is reminding us just how much Sweetpea still means to Central Massachusetts.

Next Up: Woofstock!

One of the biggest things we’re working on right now is Woofstock, our fall fundraiser and community celebration!

Join us Saturday, October 3, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Westview Farms Creamery in Monson for an afternoon of dogs, music, food and fall fun — all while helping Sweetpea continue its comeback.

We’re planning a day filled with live music, local vendors, food trucks, ice cream, beer and wine, pumpkins, hayrides and, of course, plenty of dogs.

Woofstock is meant to be fun, but it also has a very important purpose. Every vendor space, sponsorship, donation and person who attends helps build momentum for Sweetpea’s revival and moves us another step closer to becoming a lifesaving resource for local animals again.

There Are Lots of Ways to Be Part of It

We’re currently looking for vendors and sponsors who want to join us.

Vendor spaces are just $50, and businesses, families and individuals can become $100 community sponsors.

And this sponsorship isn’t only for businesses.

Sponsor your pet. Honor a pet you’ve lost. Celebrate the dog who runs your house, the cat who tolerates you or the four-legged best friend who has been there through everything.

Community sponsors will be featured on Sweetpea’s social media and represented with a lawn sign at Woofstock. Businesses can participate with their logo, too.

It’s a fun way to fill the event with the animals and people who make our community special while helping animals who will need Sweetpea in the future.

We’re Getting Closer

There is still work ahead of us. But for the first time in a long time, there is a lot to celebrate.

Sweetpea is reconnecting with the community that helped build it. We’re creating new ways for people to get involved. We’re raising the funds needed to move forward. And piece by piece, we’re building the next chapter.

We hope you’ll be part of it.

Come to Woofstock. Become a vendor. Sponsor your pet or business. Volunteer. Donate. Share our story. Woofstock Event Information

Every one of those things matters.

Because after everything Sweetpea has been through, one thing remains as true today as it was when this organization began:

Every Life Matters — Rebuild, Rescue, Re-home.

The story continues.