Paws Crossed Dog Rescue founder Derick Dearing, of Hedgesville, holds the rescue's newest foster dog, Phantom, during the annual fundraiser at the Wellness Center. Photo by Tabitha Johnston.

SHEPHERDSTOWN — Hosted in Shepherd University’s Wellness Center, the Second Annual Paws Crossed Dog Rescue Bazaar and Raffle raised money and awareness for Paws Crossed Dog Rescue on Saturday afternoon.

According to founder Derick Dearing, of Hedgesville, Paws Crossed Dog Rescue has taken in, rehabilitated and adopted out about 300 dogs from animal shelters and government-run animal control facilities, since it was established four years ago.

“We pull dogs from rural shelters in West Virginia, we get them vetted and we put them into foster homes with families, who prepare them for adoption,” Dearing said, explaining the nonprofit organization chooses to house the dogs in foster homes rather than in a shelter, to socialize the dogs.

“We do not have a shelter — we want to socialize the dogs, to get them used to living with people in a home,” Dearing said. “When adopting our dogs, people are adopting well-trained, socialized dogs that are spayed or neutered.”

According to Dearing, the organization carefully vets potential foster or adopting families, and supplies foster families with any needed funds or education to care for their dogs. Sometimes the dogs are in very poor emotional and physical shape when they are placed in their foster homes, and need three to four months to be ready for adoption. In rare situations, dogs are adopted by their foster families, if they are not able to be fully rehabilitated.

In the case of a Great Dane rescued from Bluefield, West Virginia, a crushed joint in one of its legs may result in part of its leg having to be amputated, despite the nonprofit designating thousands of dollars towards saving the leg. The dog’s foster mother, Kelly Hess, of Martinsburg, has been a foster parent with the nonprofit for three years, and said she plans to adopt Molly sometime in the future.

“The thing that I like the most about this rescue, that drew me in, is it’s all about the needs of the dogs. Whatever the dog needs, the dog will get — it doesn’t matter if it’s $5,000 or $7,000. We may not be able to save them all, but we will save all those we can help,” Hess said, mentioning the number of dogs needing rescued in southern West Virginia is high, due to the area’s lack of spaying/neutering education.

Over a dozen crafters and vendors participated in the bazaar, many of whom were returning from the previous year’s event.

“I was at last year’s event as well. The vendor events are a win-win for everybody. We’re able to contribute to the cause, and meet people at the same time,” said Premier Designs’ Krista Hoffman, of Inwood. “It’s really fun to see the joy that comes from adopting a rescue, and it’s just a great organization to support.”

To find out more or see photos of dogs available for adoption from Paws Crossed Dog Rescue, visit www.pawscrosseddogrescue.com.