CAMDEN - Petey the plush P.A.W.S. puppy arrived in Camden Friday morning, the day before the big Shop for the Cause event in Camden and Rockport Saturday, Sept. 21.

Getting checked in to the Camden Riverhouse Hotel was a cinch, as Jackie at the front desk gave him his room key and told him all about the accomodations. Petey took a tour, checking out the continental breakfast area and the pool, before taking a break in his room. Next it was time to take a walk down Main Street, stopping for a drink of water outside Surroundings and then continuing down to Bay View Street, where he finally encountered some furry friends, Annie and Bixby.

The P.A.W.S. Shop for the Cause is a fundraiser to benefit P.A.W.S. Animal Adoption Center in Rockport and promotes shoppig locally, while supporting the local animal shelter and adoption center. A portion of sales made Saturday from participating Camden and Rockport merchants will be donated to P.A.W.S.

In addition, volunteers will be stationed at a P.A.W.S. booth on the Camden Village Green to distribute validation cards listing the participating merchangts. Shoppers who visit and collect at least six stickers from participating stores can enter a drawing to win a $50 gift certificate to the business of their choice.

“I am so happy that we have so many merchants in the Camden-Rockport area that have agreed to take part in the event and generously donate a portion of their sales to our nonprofit shelter. The support of community members and businesses is vitally important to P.A.W.S., and I thank everyone that is participating — either as a participating business or a shopper.  Last year's event, which was our first, raised $3,500 - funds that were used to provide shelter, food and medical attention for animals that need a helping ‘paw’ and lots of love,” said event chairperson Georganne Bendall in a press release.

Merchants participating in the Sept. 21 P.A.W.S. Shop for the Cause include Admiral's Buttons, Antique Treasures & Early Times Antiques, Bagel Café, Beach Inspirations, Beauty Mark Spa, Blue Door, Bubbles & Bean Children's Consignment, Camden Cone, Camden Custom Embroidery, Camden Jewelry Company, Camden Merchants Showcase, Ducktrap Bay Trading Co., Foglifters, Glendarragh Lavender, Goose River Exchange, Graffam Bros. Seafood Market, Green Thumb, HAV II, Hoboken Gardens, House of Logan, Jo Ellen Designs, K-2 Music, Lily Lupine & Fern, Loyal Biscuit Co., Maine Sport Outfitters, Margo Moore Interiors, Once a Tree, Party Fundamentals, Planet Toys, Ralston Gallery, RAYR - the wine shop, River Ducks Ice Cream, Rockport Blueprint, Rockport Emporium, Russell's of Camden Fine Jewelry, SAGE (Spirit and Art Gallery East), Serendipity Fine Consignment, Small Wonder Gallery, Starbird, State of Maine Cheese Company, Sugar Tools, Surroundings, The Antique Garden Shoppe, The Cashmere Goat, The Colony, The Leather Bench, The Lodge at Camden Hills, The Maine Dog, Theo B. Camisole & Co., The Right Stuff, The Smiling Cow, The Well Tempered Kitchen, The Village Shop, Twice Upon a Dream, Zarafa.

P.A.W.S., which stands for Pets Are Worth Saving, is located just off Route 1 at 146 Camden St. and serves the communities of Camden, Rockport, Lincolnville, Islesboro, Northport, Belfast, Liberty, and Searsmont. The organization provides a safe, caring environment for homeless and abandoned cats and dogs, until they can be placed with loving families, and also promotes humane values in society.

Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards can be reached at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com or 706-6655.