Car show, dog pageant raise funds for Nye County animal rescue

More than two dozen vehicles and a dozen dogs turned the parking lot outside Rubalcaba’s Mexican Restaurant into a lively fundraiser for Never Forgotten Animal Society, drawing Pahrump residents to a spring event that mixed car culture, pet pageantry and local giving under clear skies and warm sunshine.

The gathering, held April 11 at 1500 Red Butte St., gave the nonprofit a public stage in the middle of town. Attendees wandered past sports cars, classics, jeeps, lifted trucks and custom builds, stopping to study the details and talk with owners. Brandon Francis took top honors in the car competition with a standout jeep that drew attention from across the lot.

A short walk away, the doggie beauty pageant had its own audience. Twelve contestants took part, and the Boston terrier entered as contestant No. 1 came out on top after judges watched the dogs parade in front of the crowd. Live music from Dan Loveless kept the afternoon moving and added to the relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere.

The event did more than entertain. It raised proceeds and awareness for Never Forgotten Animal Society, a Pahrump-based 501(c)(3) founded in November 2018 to promote animal welfare and safety through community education, vaccinations, low-cost spay and neuter services, microchipping and adoptions. Rescue listings tie the organization to David Street in Pahrump and place its work squarely in Nye County, where local fundraisers often help bridge the gap between need and available resources.

Community listings said the fundraiser ran from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and set entry fees at $25 per car and $15 per dog, with questions and registration directed to Patti at 775-419-7820. That structure helped make the event accessible to a broad mix of participants, from car enthusiasts to pet owners and families looking for a Saturday outing.

Rubalcaba’s Mexican Restaurant, itself a local gathering spot at 1500 Red Butte St., proved a natural host for that mix. The turnout suggested that in Pahrump, the events most likely to pull people together are the ones that combine something visible and immediate, whether that is a polished engine bay, a dog on parade or a chance to support a rescue that serves animals across Nye County.