The Animal Welfare Association of Voorhees is asking people to put on their capes and save the day for some homeless animals by participating in its annual Paws & Feet 5K Race & Doggie Fun Day fundraising event on Saturday, May 16 at Cooper River Park in Pennsauken.
The theme of this year’s event, Superheroes, was chosen to illustrate the AWA’s belief that when it comes to homeless animals, ordinary people often go out of their way to perform extraordinary actions.
Although the event is still several months away, the website for race and walk registration officially opened last week, so those interested can now sign up and start fundraising.
Last year, more than $100,000 was raised through the event, and this year the AWA is hoping to raise even more.
All donations and funds raised from the event go directly to the care of animals in the AWA’s adoption center through providing shelter, food, medication and spaying/neutering services.
The 5k race is a USA Track and Field-certified chip timed run, with a $30 registration fee for those ages 16 years and older and $15 for those under 16 years old, with runners in both age brackets receiving a chip timing and event t-shirt with their fee.
According AWA events and business relations manager Maria Clarke, the AWA placed more than 2,600 adopted pets in their forever homes in 2014, and the only way the AWA can beat that number this year is through the continued support of the public.
“We want to help more animals this year, and we need funds to do that,” Clarke said. “We’re hoping people will come out on May 16, support AWA and raise money for homeless pets.”
Clarke also said that this year there will be no registration fee to participate in the walk, but walkers must donate or fundraise a minimum of $40 to participate and receive an event t-shirt, doggie bandana and goody bag.
Those who can’t attend the event but still want to help can also donate or fundraise a minimum of $40 and receive the same items.
Those who register to participate in the race or walk can do so as individuals or join as a team, with prizes to be awarded to the individuals and teams who raise the most money.
After the racers and walkers have finished getting their exercise, Clarke said the Doggie Fun Day portion of the day begins.
According to Clarke, the day will have activities for both people and their dogs, including pet contests, an agility course, pet demonstrations, live music, food, activities and games for the entire family.
Clarke said last year the event had more than 100 vendors, a super fetch area, contests such as a tennis ball lottery, a canine cannon tennis ball launch, canine candy land and even a place where the dogs could play musical sit.
“We always have demonstrations as well,” Clarke said. “Last year we had the Jersey Disc Devils and their canine athletes put on an amazing performance. We had police working dogs — demonstrations by local K9 units and also search and rescue dogs.”
Clarke said there’s always so much to do with Paws & Feet, and as the AWA works to secure all the entertainment for the day, the organization hopes the public will start fundraising so everyone can come out and have a good time.
“The fundraising is critical,” Clarke said. “We really do need to raise the funds and there’s plenty of time to do it. If people start now, they’ll reach and exceed their goal.”
Those interested in registering for the 2015 Paws & Feet 5K race and walk can visit www.awanj.org/pf2015.
