By RYAN CHRISTNER

rchristner@dailynews.net

Calling all dog lovers. A golden opportunity awaits this weekend as the Smoky Hill Golden Retriever Club will host its annual fundraiser Friday and Saturday in Hays.

The 9-year-old group will have a garage-sale styled event at Ninth and Main -- next to White Chocolate -- on Friday from noon to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon to replenish funds used last year to pay for the surgeries of animals injured after the May 2007 Greensburg tornado.

In addition to various donated items -- including a large offering of Christmas decor being put up by group co-founder Tom Cole -- baked goods, such as bierocks, cinnamon rolls, cookies, cakes and pies, also will be sold.

Established in 1999, the group originally was started as a way to get owners of golden retrievers together to socialize, Cole said. It began with about eight to 10 families and their pets and now has more than 25 members and about 30 dogs.

As interest grew, so did the group's aspirations.

Cole said the group keeps regular contact with many animal shelters throughout the Midwest, including shelters in Kansas City, Oklahoma City and Denver, and other dog-loving organizations, and regularly sets up chains of drivers to move dogs from shelters to permanent, adopted "forever homes."

The group last participated in an animal transport in October, taking five dogs to homes in Colorado.

Since its inception, the group has helped rescue and transport more than 470 animals.

The money raised from this weekend's event will refill the group's animal rescue and transport fund, which supports the venture.

"Ninety percent of the money goes to the rescue and support of dogs," Cole said.

Other funds are directed toward other organizations, such as the Western Plains Animal Refuge, Humane Society of the High Plains and the Community Assistance Center.

Also important to SHGRC is helping dogs in need of medical care, so when a tornado devastated Greensburg last year, the group used their cash supplies to provide aid for four animals.

Cole said some dogs had glass embedded in their skin, while others had broken or fractured bones.

On a more local level, SHGRC members participate in the Fort Hays State University homecoming parade and Fourth of July activities, help create care baskets for the Community Assistance Center and purchase gifts from Angel Trees throughout town at Christmas time.

Members still get together several times throughout the year, and any owner of a registered, purebred golden retriever is welcome to join, Cole said.