Events

Low Cost Vaccine Clinic – Preregistration is now CLOSED

April 22nd, 2023

St. Francis CARE will offer a drive-thru, low cost vaccination clinic on April 22nd, 2023. This is limited to the first 200 preregistered dogs and the first 50 preregistered cats. Private pets only. NO FERAL ANIMALS.
 
The drive-thru clinic will be open from 10 am to 12 pm at St. Francis CARE, 6228 Country Club Rd, Murphysboro, IL. You will drive up, give the volunteer your name, verify your pet’s names & desired vaccinations, hand the volunteer your CASH payment, and your dog’s leash or cat in a carrier. We will take your pet to be vaccinated and will return him/her and your proof of vaccination to your vehicle.

When things warm up, we take advantage of the beautiful Southern Illinois Scenery. Each year we host a bike ride. Riders can pedal routes of 22, 30, 36, 48, or 52 miles.

This year’s ride is on Aug. 27th. It begins and ends at John A Logan College. You can pre-register online until April 26th. Or, you can register onsite beginning at 7:00 am the day of the event.

Current Events

Check out our Facebook page for daily updates on all of our upcoming events. 

Click on the Facebook Event below to get your tickets or invite a friend!

Annual Events

Please click on one of our annual events below to get more information, volunteer, or fill out an application for attendance. Thank you so much for supporting St. Francis CARE! 

Are you ready to get involved or have questions about any of our events?

May

Golf Scramble

FORE! Each year St. Francis CARE hosts a golf scramble. It occurs in late April or early May. Teams of four golfers hit the links for a day of golf, food, and FUN! 

 

The cost? Just $100 per player (that includes 18 holes of golf, lunch, and beverages). And if golf isn’t your game, you can showcase your business and support St. Francis CARE by sponsoring a golf hole. Hole sponsorships are $100. Kennel Club opportunities are also available.

 
March

Trivia Night

Put on your thinking cap! Our Trivia Night is a great way to test knowledge and raise money for St. Francis CARE. This fundraiser happens in March each year and includes a silent auction, 50/50 raffle, and a table-decorating contest. 

 

Players are more than welcome to bring snacks, however, please leave the adult beverages at home, as the Elks provide us with a cash bar for the evening. 

 

Teams of up to eight (8) people compete (teams can have fewer than eight players) with a team fee of $120, or $15 per person. Payment can be made before the event or at the door. We strongly recommend pre-registration because tables fill up fast.

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April

St. Francis CARE/Murdale Ace Hardware Cookout

What’s cookin’? We are! Each April we hold a grilling fundraiser at Murdale Ace Hardware in the Murdale Shopping Center. The store donates all the supplies and 100 percent of the proceeds goes to St. Francis CARE. 

 

What’s on the menu? Hot dogs, hamburgers, and much more! So enjoy lunch and do some shopping at Ace Hardware while you’re there! 

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June

Kitten Shower

You’ve heard the phrase raining cats and dogs, right? Well, in June we prepare for a kitten shower. That’s because June is kitten season here at St. Francis CARE as well as ‘Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat Month and to celebrate we host our annual kitten shower. 

 

We use this event to show off all of our new babies. We just ask that you bring a ‘kitten shower’ gift. Our kitten nursery is always in need of things like food, toys, litter, cleaning supplies, and lots of LOVE. We will be serving sweets and punch and our adoption fees for babies will be $25.00. This adoption fee includes the spay/neuter, vaccines, and microchip.

 
September

Dogs day at the Pool

The dog days of summer can make us all a little hot under the collar. But Carbondale Splash Park has the solution. In September the park hosts a day for dogs to enjoy the pool. It happens right after the Splash Park closes for the season. For two hours (from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) dogs can swim.

There are some rules to follow that day. No dogs that are aggressive, in heat, or under four months of age are allowed to participate. Owners must clean up after their dogs. Dogs must wear flat buckle snap collars for control. Owners must provide vaccination prof & a doggy day liability waiver. Dog owners must be 18 years or older.

So for $10 you can make a splash and help raise funds for St. Francis CARE!

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Dog days at the pool
October

Blessing of the Animals

We are certainly blessed here at St. Francis CARE. We’re reminded of that even more so in October with our annual Blessing of the Animals. We partner with The United Methodist Church in Murphysboro for this free event. Each animal will receive an individual blessing and a treat! There is also a drawing for a prize. Please make sure all animals brought to this event are in carriers or on leashes.

Pictures with Santa

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

Santa Paws is coming to town! He knows all the good little dogs and cats. Each December the Jolly Old Elf stops by for a day of pictures with pets. Santa is joined by Mrs. Claus as well. The date and location will be announced closer to the time of the event. All pets must be on a leash or in a carrier! All proceeds benefit the animals at St. Francis CARE.

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Santa Pics
Howliday Magic
December

Howliday Magic

Every holiday season, there are thousands of discarded pets in shelters who won’t get the chance to feel the excitement and joy of Christmas morning with a family. Let’s make a difference!

 

Join us for our Annual Christmas Eve Howliday Magic Event. A night full of excitement and joy, specifically for our large adult breed dogs and our adult cats who are so often passed over for adoption only due to their age or size. We provide fire, warm beverages to keep you toasty warm, and some sweets to keep you, well sweet.

 

You provide the love and fun stuff. Please bring big dog-appropriate toys (no stuffing, please), treats, cat toys, chewies, catnip, Kongs, and peanut butter for stuffing, Nylabones, tuff toys to chew and snuggle with, feather toys to chase.

 

Dress in your warmest grubbies, bring a chair if you’d like, and join us on Christmas Eve from 6 to 8 p.m.

Staff stress relief

We can all use a break every now and then. That’s why we take our puppies to local hospitals to provide some stress relief for the staff during their breaks or free time.

Assisted Living

Twice a month we visit some of the local assisted living facilities with some of our most adorable puppies. Not only do residents get to love on our puppies, but they’re also able to remember things from their past. Our puppies get a chance to socialize as well and the residents look forward to us returning every month.

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Are you ready to get involved or have questions about any of our events?

Event Inquiries