Joseph Performance Raises More Than $1,000 for Animal Shelter

Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat's Saturday matinee—the show's final day—was the second-biggest matinee in Collingswood Community Theatre history.

But of the 700 or so who came to Saturday's matinee, three were not your average theater-goers. They cautiously sniffed at other guests' feet, even going so far as to lick audience members.

The three were adoptable dogs, visiting from Almost Home Animal Shelter in Pennsauken—a shelter that is supported by the Collingswood Stray Animal Fund.

The special event, called Joseph Goes To The Dogs, was a fundraising partnership between Collingswood Community Theatre and Almost Home Animal Shelter. During the final matinee of Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on Saturday, proceeds from ticket sales and other show promotions went to the shelter.

And the day was a huge success, raising more than $1,000 for Almost Home.

According to Almost Home Animal Shelter Director Nancy Welsh, Saturday's matinee raised $500 from ticket sales, $171 from raffle ticket sales, $162 from donation jars and a couple hundred dollars from a cookie sale.

The shelter needs donations year-round, but Welsh said funds are needed more urgently in the springtime.

"The matinee funds will give us a little boost as we're going into spring. We don't really get many donations in the spring, because people go away on vacations," said Welsh. "So this is nice, because it will help us stock up and prepare."

But a lack of funds isn't the only thing that makes springtime a difficult season for animal shelters, said Welsh.

"In the spring, we get litters upon litters coming in every day. We just end up with so many animals," said Welsh. "There are more animals coming in than going out (getting adopted)."

Before the curtain rose for Saturday's 2 p.m. matinee performance of Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Welsh and two assistants took the stage—each holding the leash of an adoptable dog from the shelter.

Welsh spoke to audience members about the importance of their donations and how much their help means to the shelter. And, after introducing all three dogs, Welsh led the dogs off the stage as the crowd whistled over a deafening applause.

And after the performance, Welsh and her three furry friends took the spotlight. As the crowd filtered out the Scottish Rite Auditorium doors, the pups accompanied cast members onstage for some post-show downtime.

One of Welsh's three companions—and arguably the sweetest dog of all time—is 2-year-old Gunther, a Chesapeake Bay retriever and pit bull mix.

In between resting his head on cast members' laps and kissing their faces, Gunther would stop, trot over to Welsh and jump up to hug her. It's obvious from watching him that Gunther knows he owes Welsh his life.

"He's a loving, quiet dog," said Welsh of Gunther, gently patting his brown head.

And as she scooped up all three pups, ready to head back to the shelter, Welsh hugged and thanked the cast and crew members of Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

"It was just wonderful, really amazing" said Welsh of Saturday's turnout. "We really needed it, and we're so thankful to Collingswood Community Theatre."