Bikers Make Best friends With Animals

Bikers For Best Friends event raises over $3,000 for local animal rescues

Talk about a win-win situation! The first win: More than 100 bikers cruised 200 miles in picture-perfect weather through picture-perfect scenery during the inaugural Bikers For Best Friends poker run event on Saturday 23rd September. The second win: Money raised from the event registration, t-shirt sales and raffle tickets benefited several local animal rescue organizations: Sadie’s Safe Haven for Animals, Furever Friends, Enoch City Animal Shelter, Paws St. George, Hurricane Animal Shelter, Cedar City Animal Rescue and Cedar City Animal Control.

Ross Hartill from Best Friends coordinated the event with Zion Harley-Davidson. An avid motorcyclist, the marriage of biking and helping animals seemed to be a match made in heaven.

“Bikers are seen as these big, burly guys that like to party and drink beer,” said Ross. “My perception is that they are very free-spirited individuals with kind hearts.”

The Bikers for Best Friends Event raised more than $3,000 for the animal rescue organizations.

The poker run originated from Zion Harley-Davidson, took the bikers through Zion National Park and then on over to Best Friends for a pasta lunch. The ride continued through Fredonia, up Highway 389 through Hurricane and back to Zion Harley-Davidson for a little after-ride celebration. One rider commented, “Hey, I’d do that ride again tomorrow --- it’s was really beautiful.”

Zion Harley general manager Alan Blackburn said the dealership sponsors charity rides about once a month. “Bikers are always looking for an excuse to ride,” he said, “And they’re a very generous bunch.

“I’ve always wanted to partner with organizations that champion animals. I hope we can make this an annual event.”

While the riders were on the road, Best Friends and the other animal welfare organizations kept company with the adoptable animals on site. Several people walked around visiting with the cats and dogs. And a few of those animals became the new companions to some lucky people.

Emily Chapman adopted McCoy, a sweet, exuberant black and white terrier from Cedar City Animal Control.

“She was so cute and so friendly. I just really took to her immediately and I think she took to me, too,” said Emily.

Deborah Phillips, one of the managers at the dealership, couldn’t resist Sparkle, the white and brown terrier from Paws. Sparkle immediately took on the role of Ambassador to All Animals, friend to every person and animal on site.

“Just look at those eyes,” said Deborah. “They’re so soulful. I just fell in love with her.”

Chubs, a border collie-lab mix from Best Friends, couldn’t get enough attention. Every person who stopped by his pen became Chubs’ New Best Friend, with a friendly paw, enthusiastic tail wag and kisses. Rick and Cindy Peirce decided they wanted to be Chubs’ New Forever Best Friend.

“We used to have a friendly lab,” said Cindy. “And we’ve been thinking for awhile we wanted another lab in our lives. Chubs is it. Really. He’s perfect.”

Two weeks before the ride, several bikers visited Best Friends. Among those riders were Don and Candy Charlet. They came to take the tour and walked away possibly with a new companion animal.

They fell in love with Mamacita, a blue-eyed blonde beauty of a lab mix.

“Once in awhile you see something that just clicks, you know?” said Candy. “I saw Mamacita and she was kind of shy. She edged over to me and when she let me near her, I felt such a strong connection. We’re going to take her on an overnight trip and see what happens.”

Ross’ take on the event: It rocked!

“We have achieved a successful event with the support of Best Friends, Zion Harley-Davidson and Southern Utah Harley Owners Group,” said Ross. “We had fun, completed a safe ride and it was all for a great cause.

“Since attending my first poker run four years ago, I have seen a great deal of support that bikers provide to non-profit organizations. My vision for the future is to take Bikers For Best Friends to a national level and support all biker events benefiting animals. Thank you to everyone supporting this event. I’m looking forward to a positive future with Bikers For Best Friends.”