WALK 4 PAWS 2017: Register Today!
Monday, September 11, 2017
THIRTEENTH ANNUAL WALK 4 PAWS SET FOR OCTOBER 14th
JAMESTOWN, N.Y. (September 11th, 2017) – Team and individual registrations are now open for the 13th annual Walk 4 Paws, presented by Happy Hounds Hotel and The Southern Tier Express Foundation. This is the Chautauqua County Humane Society’s largest fundraiser of the year. The event combines a family friendly 1.5-mile walk through Chautauqua Institution with charitable giving to help provide care for all the animals awaiting adoption at the shelter.
The annual Walk 4 Paws event takes place on Saturday, October 14 at the Market Gate of Chautauqua Institution. Check-in begins at 9 a.m., with the official walk starting at 10:30 a.m. Again this year, at 10 a.m., CCHS will feature a runway for pets and their owners to show off their finest costumes and/or tricks. This is where the costume contest judging will take place. Also, Luke Fodor of St. Luke’s Church will conduct a blessing of the animals prior to the launch of the walk. Awards and complimentary refreshments will follow at the conclusion of the walk.
“This is one of our most exciting and largest events all year,” said Kellie Roberts, Executive Director for CCHS. “It’s a fun and relaxing event that allows our participants to tour Chautauqua with their pets and support a great cause in the process,” said Roberts.
Unlike most charity walks or 5K events, community members walk alongside their favorite pets and get personal sponsors to help raise money for the shelter. As individual walkers’ fundraising totals go up, they have the opportunity to earn bigger incentive prizes. The first incentive level gets a commemorative Walk 4 Paws t-shirt and higher incentive levels can earn Keurig coffee makers, bicycles, jewelry, electronic devices and more. Awards will also be given to the best pet costumes voted on by select judges.
Walkers can also form teams for the event. Interested Team Leaders are encouraged to recruit more people to join their team. The top three teams with the highest combined fundraising total is awarded with a trophy as well as the top three individuals. Local businesses are encouraged to create teams of walkers for promotional opportunities.
“We are a non-profit organization that receives no funding from the government at any level. Our special events are significant to the shelter and we are very thankful for the community support that we receive each year,” said Roberts.
Dogs aren’t the only animals that can participate in the walk. Over the years, cats, ferrets and even a horse have participated in the event. The event is meant to raise awareness and funds for all animals that enter the humane society facilities.
Happy Hounds Hotel and the Southern Tier Xpress are the presenting sponsors of this year’s walk. Followed by Lynn Development and Chautauqua Chemical Company. Media sponsors include The Post-Journal and The five Media One Group radio stations (SE-93, WJTN,WHUG,WKSN,WQFX).
The event now features quick online registration and online fundraising tools for teams and individuals at www.spcapets.com. For those interested in fundraising on hard copy materials, registration forms and collection envelopes are available for pick up at the shelter, or by clicking here. For more information or to have materials mailed to your home, call 716-665-2209 ext. 213.
The mission of the Chautauqua County Humane Society is to improve and save lives through compassionate care, advocacy for animals, and commitment to the community.