Summer is fading fast and so are those opportunities to spend the day golfing on Oxford’s scenic courses.

Dr. Elena Osborne, a veterinarian from Independence Township, is offering golfers a chance to spend the day swinging away with their woods and irons, while at the same time, helping homeless dogs receive proper care and shelter while waiting for adoption.

There’s still time to register for the Fifth Annual Putts for Paws golf outing and dinner to be held on Sunday, Aug. 25 at Devil’s Ridge Golf Club in Oxford Township. The course is located at 3700 Metamora Rd., east of M-24.

Sponsored by Veterinary Home Care, proceeds from the event will be split 50-50 between the Oxford-based K9 Stray Rescue League and the Canine Companion Rescue Center (CCRC), both of which are nonprofit organizations.

According to Osborne, both groups do a “great job” helping canines by providing them with “better nutrition, shelter and surgical intervention when they’re injured.”

“All of those things take quite a bit of funds,” she said. “I want to make sure that they have what they need. They rescue animals (that are) in some pretty bad shape . . . They don’t turn their backs on them. They do whatever they can to get them well again and get them adopted out into their forever homes.”

Putts for Paws is an 18-hole, four-person scramble that will commence with a 9 a.m. shotgun start. Check-in is at 8:30 a.m.

Lunch will be served on the course, followed by dinner and a silent auction at 3 p.m. There will also be live music provided by Carlisle Drive.

Cost is $140 per player for golf and dinner or $30 each for guests who just want to dine and participate in the silent auction.

Approximately 45 golfers have registered so far. “This year, we’re a little bit lower on golfers than we have been in previous years,” Osborne said.

There’s still time to sign up. Osborne has extended the registration deadline to Friday, Aug. 23.

Folks who just wish to attend the dinner and silent auction are welcome to come and pay on the day of the event.

“We will have someone at the door collecting money for dinner around 2:30 p.m.,” Osborne said.

Last year’s outing raised close to $15,000, according to Osborne, which was divided between the two rescue groups.

“This event always has great support,” Osborne said. “It takes a lot of money to run a rescue. This is just a small part of being able to help with that.”

Founded in 1990, the K9 Stray Rescue League’s mission is to “rescue as many well-tempered, adoptable dogs (as possible) from county shelters’ euthanasia lists” and “provide a humane, temporary environment for (them) until permanent homes are found.” The group operates a kennel facility at 2120 Metamora Rd., just west of M-24.

Last year, the group saved the lives of 576 dogs and processed 594 adoptions.

Founded in 2004, CCRC is dedicated to “working with the community and area animal control agencies to promote the adoption of dogs without families.”

Osborne is a strong proponent of adopting dogs and cats from rescue groups instead of buying them from breeders. She said breeders are all about creating more animals to reap “financial rewards,” whereas rescue groups “are out there to save lives.”

“We’ve got enough dogs and cats,” Osborne said.

She indicated the pet “overpopulation” problem has resulted in lots of animals that are “injured, abandoned (and) neglected.”

Osborne is grateful to everyone who helps make Putts for Paws happen. She receives a lot of support from her clients.

“Every year, when this event comes around, I hear the same thing – ‘Dr. O., tell me what you need and I’ll take care of it,’” she said. “Every year, people step up. I have clients donating the trophies. I have clients donating the flower arrangements for the tables. I have clients that are buying raffle tickets and making (silent) auction baskets. There’s a lot of generosity and it makes me feel real good.”

To register for the Putts for Paws outing, please visit www.k9stray.com. Make checks payable to K9 Stray Rescue League (Nonprofit #38-3154967).