A local nonprofit that fosters and rehomes shelter dogs at risk of being euthanized is raising funds for heartworm treatments with a series of yard sales next week.

The yard sales kicked off Friday May 3 and will continue Sunday May 5 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., and Friday May 10 and Saturday May 11 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. It will be held at 43 CG Smith Road, Picayune.

The nonprofit For Bullies Sake began 10 years ago when Mary Lavinghouse found a highly adoptable dog scheduled to be euthanized, she said. She decided to begin fostering and rehoming adoptable dogs at risk of being euthanized, she said. The organization became a 501(c) 3 nonprofit last year. The organization has five staff members, Lavinghouse said.

The group fosters dogs from Mississippi and Louisiana and tries to focus on insurance restricted breeds, such as pit bulls, Great Danes and American bulldogs, Lavinghouse said.

The nonprofit is raising funds for veterinary treatment for heartworm positive dogs, which costs anywhere from $500 to $1,000, Lavinghouse said.

Dogs typically spend one to three months being fostered before they are rehomed, she said. Lavinghouse fosters up to four dogs at a time in her home, and has three dedicated volunteers who also foster dogs in their homes, she said.

One of those volunteers, Cheryl Strodtma, said she began fostering dogs after her husband passed away. Dogs being fostered need a lot of love, she said, but the work makes her feel needed.

“Fostering helps me move through my grief,” Strodtma said.

Lavinghouse said the group is trying to expand their network of volunteers willing to foster dogs in their homes.

The nonprofit advertises through Facebook, where county resident Mayra Gutierrez learned about the event. Guiterrez said she went to the yard sale because prices are low.