Binky and Bell - Helping Homeless Animals with Cartoon Art!

We are so happy to welcome Binky and Bell back as a vendor at this year's Spring Fling! We are also excited to announce that the artist behind Binky & Bell has won our T-shirt design contest and will be featured on this year's Spring Fling Commemorative T-shirt!!

Get your shirt at Spring Fling or pre-order it here: https://givebutter.com/c/UnleashedsSpringFling2026

Thanks to our sponsors, 100% of the sales of the t-shirts will go to the rescue groups/non-profit organizations that will be at Spring Fling coming up on April 26th! Seriously, every penny, er, dollar, that you give us for a shirt, we will turn around and give straight to the non-profit organizations! It is a win-win-win: you get a super cool t-shirt designed by a local artist and the rescues get cash to support their missions!

Speaking of that local artist, Binky and Bell was founded in 2013 when Rick Gardner and Mark Bell met through a career transition networking group. The duo discovered how their passion for their hobbies, Rick for dogs and Mark for woodworking, could be used for good. Together, they collaborate to create original cartoon dog-and cat-themed art to support local animal shelters and rescues. They derived their business name, Binky & Bell from Rick's first dog, "Binky," and Mark's last name, "Bell!"

Rick Gardner combines his artistic skill and fundraising knowledge to help homeless pets through Binky and Bell. He has completed three coloring books and one joke book and donated the profits to numerous local rescues and shelters. Rick's work has been featured in multiple exhibits, including:

• The Visual Art Exchange WERD Art exhibit

• A Place at the Table in downtown Raleigh

• The Halle Arts Center in Apex

• The Spotted Dog Café in Carrboro, Coffee and Crepes in Cary

• Holly Springs Cultural Arts Center

• The North Carolina Craft Center in Carrboro.

Rick's artwork influences include Roy Lichtenstein, James Thurber, Charles Shultz, and numerous modern-day graphic artists.

" My name is Rick Gardner, my brand is Binky and Bell, a brand dedicated to original, whimsical art inspired by the joyful relationships between pets and people. Through my colorful and playful designs of dogs (and cats too!), I explore themes of love, humor, and happiness."

Mark's influences include his background growing up in the suburbs of Detroit and Boston, as well as his professional experiences in Germany and Switzerland.

They both share a passion to help homeless animals.

"Hundreds of homeless dogs and cats are put down every day at shelters through no fault of their own.

We use the sales of our cartoon dog art to provide financial support to local rescues and shelters to help get these pets healthy and adoptable. Through our art, we try to capture the joy and happiness pets bring to us.

In cooperation with local rescues, shelters and national organizations, our big goal is to eliminate kill shelters and find forever homes for these homeless pets."

Each month they feature a different rescue to support with their sales and this month it is a group that will also be at Spring Fling: Love Mutts Rescue!

They also work with many other organizations that are also a part of Spring Fling, including: Wake County Animal Center, Second Chance Pet Adoptions, The Maggie Society, Freedom Ride Rescue, and more!

Take a look at their website to see the complete list and more!

Also, follow them on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date with their new designs!!

Hula Cats Sticker

Binky and Bell Tote Bag

Binky and Bell Hawaiian Shirt Dog

Binky and Bell Cleo Dog in Flowers Sticker

Binky and Bell Pop Art Cat

Stop by their booth at Spring Fling and browse through cartoon dog and cat art on shirts, sweatshirts, stickers, bags, books, magnets, and signs! And don't forget your Spring Fling t-shirt- online or at the Spring Fling T-shirt Table!

Plus, there's one more announcement! Rick actually submitted 2 designs into the t-shirt contest, and not only did one win, but the other was a runner-up! All of the runner-up designs will be featured in a NEW-THIS-YEAR coloring contest! Find coloring sheets featuring Rick's design and our other runners-up at our Kid Zone (by the bounce houses) and the seating area in front of the main stage. Take them home, add some color, and drop them off at any Unleashed location by 5/5 to enter to win! No limit on entries!

Visit Binky and Bell at

Unleashed's 13th Annual Spring Fling Dog & Cat Fundraiser

Sunday, April 26, 2026

12-6 pm

Koka Booth Amphitheatre

Stay up to date on all things Spring Fling 2026:

2026 FB event page: https://www.facebook.com/share/1TntG29de2/

Blog: https://www.k9springfling.com/news

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/k9springfling

Easter Egg Hunt Sign Up is Live!

@SharkyboBarky

Who's ready for the largest fundraising doggie Easter Egg Hunt in the city... state... country... continent... dare I say... world🤷‍♀️? Are you ready for your pup to hunt for eggs filled with natural dog treats and prizes (well, redeemable prize vouchers because most of your pet's favorite things won't fit in an egg,) while also raising money for pets that aren't as fortunate?

We are! Ok, well, we are in spirit- I mean, we still have some work to do getting thousands of eggs stuffed- but we are ready to get you signed up so that you don't miss out!!

If you really want to participate in the Egg Hunt, we HIGHLY recommend pre-registering. If we are able, we will take walk-ins, but there's certainly no guarantee we will be able to. If you pre-register, you will not only reserve your spot to hunt, but you will also get a commemorative tote bag pre-stuffed with goodies from our sponsors!! (Keep up with the blog to learn about all of our sponsors!)

So, how do you sign up? We are excited to be utilizing a fundraising platform called GiveButter. All on this site, you can sign up for the egg hunt, buy event t-shirts, purchase raffle tickets, and give cash donations. You can also enter to win an extra prize by getting your free General Admission "ticket." Tickets are not needed to enter Spring Fling, but letting us know you are coming, really helps us plan the best possible event for you! (We also love if you show us you are going on our FB event page here.)

Follow these steps to sign up for the Egg Hunt:

1. Check out our fundraising platform and read all the details: https://givebutter.com/UnleashedsSpringFling2025

2. Click on the button on the top right that says, "Donate & Register."

3. Purchase as many "tickets" as you like. Each egg hunt ticket is labeled with an egg hunt starting time frame. This is the interval of time you would need to arrive at the egg hunt, but you can search as long as you like once you start. Choose an available starting time period and select that ticket.

4. Decide how many eggs you would like to hunt for and purchase 1 ticket for every 10 eggs. Each $25 ticket is good for collecting 10 eggs. You may purchase as many available tickets as you would like. 1 ticket = 10 eggs, 2 tickets = 20 eggs, More Tickets = More eggs = More prizes.

5. Consider adding raffle tickets (each $5 raffle ticket bundle gets you 5 raffle entries towards the Grand Prize Basket,) and t-shirts (pre-purchase your 2025 Commemorative Spring Fling t-shirt!)

6. Click continue to finalize. You will enter your info and be given an opportunity to add an extra donation if you like. Please print or save the ticket info to your phone to make check-in at the event go smoother (we won't require you to have it, but it can help the process.)

Where does the money go?

We hold every penny we collect from you until the event is over, and the grand total can be finalized. Once we have an event fundraising total (eggs+shirts+cash+raffles+other,) we evenly divide the total by the number of rescue groups/non-profit animal organizations that join us at Spring Fling and send them each a check (participating rescues will be posted to the blog, FB event page, and Instagram Highlights.) The rescues love getting the cash to spend however they most need it. We keep nothing. Separately from the donation that comes to us, GiveButter will ask you for the processing fees and an optional tip to keep their services free to us.

FAQ's

• Does my pet have to do the Egg Hunt?

  • No, if you would like to do the Egg Hunt for your pet, that is OK. We understand that the Egg Hunt is not feasible for every pet.

• Is the Egg Hunt just for dogs?

  • No. We have had a few other types of pets participate in the past. Also, we have lots of cat prizes, so whether you, your dog, or your other pets do the hunt, you can take home prizes for your feline family too!

• Can I do the Egg Hunt more than one time and/or with more than one pet?

  • Yes, and yes! Every dollar goes to the rescues, so the more the merrier!

• My pet has sensitivities/allergies/special dietary restrictions, will the prizes be appropriate?

  • We work hard to make the prizes that you win meet the needs of your pet! We have lots of great options to meet most needs. We will do our best. If we can't make it work, you are welcome to add your prize to the donation drive, and a rescue group will receive it.

How does the magic happen?

We are so grateful to all of our sponsors that help cover the costs so every single penny we collect from you can go straight to the rescue groups! Please thank and support our sponsors:

• Unleashed employees for all their hard work getting prizes, stuffing eggs, stuffing totes, and so much more.

• Our Egg Hunt and Entertainment sponsors: Open Farm, Nature's Logic and VICTOR, for providing the funds to make the event happen and keeping you entertained.

• Our Tote Bag sponsors, who cover the cost of the tote bags, the goodies inside, and lots of egg prizes (in alphabetical order): look for their logos on the bag!

• All of our wonderful partners who send prizes for the eggs and the raffles!

• Follow the blog and social media for more on our sponsors!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU- to our sponsors, to you, and to everyone that is a part of our Annual Spring Fling Dog & Cat Fundraiser!

Happy Hunting!

Easter Egg Hunt- Sign Up is Live!

Who's ready for the largest fundraising doggie Easter Egg Hunt in the city... state... country... continent... dare I say... world🤷‍♀️? Are you ready for your pup to hunt for eggs filled with natural dog treats and prizes (well, redeemable prize vouchers because most of your pet's favorite things won't fit in an egg,) while also raising money for pets that aren't as fortunate?

We are! Ok, well, we are in spirit- I mean, we are still working hard collecting all of the amazing prizes, and still need to actually stuff the eggs... - but, we are ready to get you signed up so you don't miss out!!

If you really want to participate in the Egg Hunt, we HIGHLY recommend pre-registering. If we are able, we will take walk-ins, but there's certainly no guarantee we will be able to. If you pre-register, you will not only reserve your spot to hunt, you will also get a commemorative tote bag pre-stuffed with goodies from our sponsors!! (Keep up with the blog to learn about all of our sponsors!)

So, how do you sign up? We are excited to be utilizing a fundraising platform called GiveButter. All on this site, you can sign up for the egg hunt, buy event t-shirts, and give cash donations. You can also enter to win an extra prize by getting your free General Admission "ticket." Tickets are not needed to enter Spring Fling, but letting us know you are coming, really helps us plan the best possible event for you! (We also love if you show us you are going on our FB event page here.)

Follow these steps to sign up for the Egg Hunt:

1. Check out our fundraising platform and read all the details: https://givebutter.com/UnleashedsSpringFling2024

2. Click on the button on the top right that says, "Donate & Tickets."

3. Purchase as many "tickets" as you like. Each egg hunt ticket is labeled with an egg hunt start time. This is the time you would need to arrive at the egg hunt, but you can search as long as you like once you start. Choose an available start time and select that ticket.

4. Decide how many eggs you would like to hunt, and purchase 1 ticket for every 5 eggs. Each $10 ticket is good for collecting 5 eggs. You may purchase as many available tickets as you would like. 1 ticket = 5 eggs, 2 tickets = 10 eggs, More Tickets = More eggs = More prizes.

5. Consider adding raffle tickets (each $5 raffle ticket gets you 5 raffle entries to win some amazing prizes,) and/or t-shirts (pre-buy your 2024 Commemorative Spring Fling t-shirt!)

6. Click continue to finalize. You will enter your info and be given an opportunity to add an extra donation if you like. You don't have to have your ticket, but if you do print or save the ticket info to your phone, it will make check-in at the event go smoother.

Where does the money go?

We hold every penny we collect from you until the event is over and the total can be finalized. Once we have a fundraising total (eggs+shirts+cash+raffles+other,) we evenly divide every single cent by the number of rescue groups/non-profit animal organizations that join us at Spring Fling and send them a check (participating rescues will be posted to the blog and FB event page.) The rescues love getting the cash to spend however they most need it. We keep nothing. Separately from the donation that comes to us, GiveButter will ask you for the processing fees and an optional tip to keep their services free to us.

How does the magic happen?

We are so grateful to all of our sponsors that help cover the costs so every single penny we collect from you can go straight to the rescue groups! Please thank and support our sponsors:

• Unleashed employees for all their hard work getting prizes, stuffing eggs, stuffing totes, and so much more

• Our presenting sponsors: Nature's Logic and VICTOR, for providing the funds to make the event happen

• Our Egg Hunt Sponsor: Open Farm

• Our Entertainment Sponsor: Stella & Chewy's

• Our Tote Bag sponsors, who cover the cost of the tote bags, the goodies inside, and lots of egg prizes (in alphabetical order): Austin & Kat, Fromm, Pet Releaf, Small Batch, Steve's Real Food, Winnie Lou

• Our Community Sponsors (alphabetically): A Pup Above, Bones & Co, Canine Caviar, Green Element, Huxley & Kent, In Clover, Johnson Alfa Romeo of Cary, Mosa Pet Spa, Primal, RC Pets

• Our additional T-shirt sponsors: All Dogs Allowed, PetSound Dayare and Boarding, ZoomRoom Cary

• All of our wonderful partners who send prizes for the eggs and the raffles

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU- to our sponsors, to you, and to everyone that is a part of our Annual Spring Fling Dog & Cat Fundraiser!

Happy Hunting!