A Boca Raton bakery turned its Halloween weekend into a fundraiser for animals. Cosa Duci Italian Bakery & Deli hosted Paws for a Cause on Oct. 31 at its location in The Shops at University Park, raising $1,690 for the neighboring nonprofit Animal Aid, Inc.
Owner Silvia Fausto organized the event, which offered Italian food, photo opportunities and community vendors. The highlight was a pet costume contest with four categories: Most Italian Pet, Funniest Costume, Best Overall Costume and Best Pet & Owner Duo. Winners took home gift baskets, gift certificates and pet treats.
Pets walked a “green carpet” runway set up on the bakery’s backyard bocce court. A raffle with two $50 Cosa Duci gift certificates and baskets donated by Animal Aid also brought in money.
Animal Aid works on animal homelessness through spay and neuter services, rescue, adoptions and education. It also runs clinical services, an adoption center and a thrift store. Fausto said she and her employees share a love of animals, and that the money will go toward the group’s ongoing welfare programs.
