Charles Warner|Daily Times This jar on the counter at Infinity Pet Styles, 1844 S. Jonesville Highway, Jonesville, is being used to raise funds for John E. Johnson, an elderly Whitmire man whose dog was found dead inside Classy Pet Grooming on May 8. Infinity Pet Styles owner Jennifer Roark said she'd originally planned to raise funds to buy Johnson a new dog and replace the $100 he'd paid Classy Pet Grooming to have his dog trimmed. She said she has since learned Johnson has been given a new dog. Roark said she will continue fundraiser to replace the money Johnson lost and to help him with the costs of caring for his new dog.

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JONESVILLE — The owner of a Jonesville area pet grooming business says she is raising funds to replace the money an elderly Whitmire man lost when his dog died while in the care of the owner of a Union dog groomer.

John E. Johnson, 75, left his Border Collie at Classy Pet Grooming in Union for a trimming. Before he could return for the dog, Johnson suffered a stroke and was hospitalized. On May 8, the day after he was released from the hospital, Johnson went to Classy Pet Grooming where he discovered his dog was dead. Classy Pet Grooming owner Shelley Vinson has been charged with ill treatment of animals in connection with the dog’s death. She has also been charged with ill treatment of animals for the conditions two other dogs were left in at her place of business.

Johnson’s loss attracted a great deal of attention and inspired the owner of another pet grooming business to stage a fundraiser on his behalf.

Jennifer Roark, owner of Infinity Pet Styles, 1844 S. Jonesville Highway, Jonesville, said the fundraiser she is conducting on Johnson’s behalf was initially intended to raise enough money to get him a new dog as well as the $100 he paid Classy Pet Grooming to get his dog trimmed. However, Roark said when she contacted Johnson about doing this, he told her that a woman in Spartanburg had already given him a new dog. Roark said that while she will continue to raise money for Johnson, the funds collected will be now be used, first, to replace the $100 he lost. She said any additional funds raised will be used to help him pay the cost of the care of his new dog.

The fund raising effort will involve the sale of tickets at Infinity Pet Styles. Roark said each ticket is $2 or three for $5. She said persons who purchase the tickets will have a chance to win a Deluxe Bath Package for their pet. The package includes a blueberry facial, a hot oil treatment of the animal’s skin, their teeth brushed with breath freshener, nails cut and smoothed, ears cleaned, and the shampoo of the owner’s choice and matching body spray, bows or bandannas. The package also includes the staff hand drying the animal and a 20-minute or more brush out.

Roark said the drawing for the package will be held June 27.

The tickets went on sale Thursday and Roark said that as of Friday morning $20 had already been raised.

Infinity Pet Styles is open Wednesday-Friday and every other Saturday from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

For more information contact Infinity Pet Styles at 429-9004. Roark said that on the days Infinity is not open, persons may contact her or staff at 441-7220 and they will meet them there.