Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. in Nesquehoning is going to the dogs hot dogs that is.

A three-day event, "Dogs 4 Dawgs," that aims to help raise funds for the operations of the Carbon County Animal Shelter, kicked off Tuesday as county officials; as well as volunteers turned a portion of the KME building 1 parking lot into a hot dog stand, selling hot dog lunches to KME employees and the public.The event also took place today and will be held Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.Commissioner Thomas J. Gerhard, who helped organize the event, explained that the county is trying to make sure the animal shelter, which is located on top of the Broad Mountain in Nesquehoning, can maintain its operations.He noted that the animal shelter director, Tom Connors, approached the county with the idea for the hot dog sale and the commissioners decided that he could run with it.Donations by a number of county officials, the public and John Kovatch III made the event possible."I'm very happy with the support from our elected officials, the community, and John Kovatch," Gerhard said.Commissioner William O'Gurek commended the effort that was being made by everyone at the event."This is a genuine effort by a lot of people to try and help a struggling department survive," he said. "The K-9 shelter is very important to this county. Our main goal is to sustain it for a long time."O'Gurek also recognized Kovatch for their support of the county and the people of the county over the years."The Kovatch Corporation has come to the aid of the community again," he said. "I commend them for lending the resources needed to make this possible. The late John 'Sonny' Kovatch would be proud of his family; as well as his work family for helping Carbon County."Connors echoed Gerhard's and O'Gurek's thoughts, saying that he was glad to see so many people gathering to help the shelter."I think this event is a good way to get positive awareness out about the shelter," he said. "I am happy for Kovatch's support."He noted that the shelter is working on education programs and sponsorship programs to help the public and the dogs."Our motto is 'It's all about the dogs,'" Connors said.The Carbon County Animal Shelter, which costs the county $65,000 annually to operate, has been one of the departments that has needed help over the last few years.The commissioners have had some discussion about what options are available for future operations of the shelter, including keeping and running it or turning it over to a non-profit group.To date, no proposal from any outside group has been received.Donations of cleaning supplies; dog food; toys; or money are always accepted at the shelter.Connors said any monetary donations that are received are used strictly at the shelter to help care for the dogs until they can be adopted.For more information on the Carbon County Animal Shelter, to make a donation, or to adopt a dog, either call the shelter at (570) 325-4828 or visit the location at 63 Broad St., Nesquehoning, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; or Saturday or Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.