HATFIELD — Chaney is the fourth rescue dog from St. Croix, Virgin Islands that Hatfield residents Kathy Zeamer and Sue Moorman have brought into their family over the past two decades from their visits to the Caribbean.
Unlike the first rescue dog the couple adopted more than 20 years ago, though, Chaney comes from an organization called Ruff Start STX, a volunteer-run rescue organization founded by Katie Nelson in 2020.
Appreciating that the nonprofit is giving these island dogs a second chance at life, in a place where there is overpopulation, abuse and neglect, on Wednesday the couple is putting on a fundraising benefit concert at the Lions Club Pavilion, 15 Billings Way.
Mama’s Black Sheep, a Baltimore-based duo with ties to St. Croix, is the featured performer, with the grounds opening at 5 p.m. and the concert starting at around 5:30 p.m. This will be the first time that band members Ashland Miller and Laura Cerulli will be performing locally, with a mix of acoustic rock, blues and soul selections. They will perform both their own original compositions and covers by artists like Van Morrison and Fleetwood Mac.
Representatives from Ruff Start STX will be on hand, with some rescue dogs, and food and spirit trucks will be part of the event.
Ruff Start STX 250 adopts out 250 dogs annually and also runs clinics that get 500 or more dogs spayed and neutered.
Zeamer explains that the nonprofit includes the Hair of the Dog bar, the only dog rescue bar in the Caribbean, where proceeds from drink sales go to support the rescue efforts. Also, Ruff Start STX purchased a neglected property in Frederiksted which will become a clinic with kennels, space for dogs to run, an open-air pavilion for spay and neuter clinics, and a retail pet supply store.
In addition to the Hair of the Dog, the nonprofit will be leasing the neighboring Victoria Hotel to provide dog-friendly waterfront accommodations and housing for visiting veterinarians.
