The Richland County Fairgrounds honor “man’s best friend” with the 11th Annual Strutt Your Mutt Dog Walk and Canine Festival on September 7 and 8.
The event is hosted by the Humane Society of Richland County (HSRC) and asks for a $1 donation, or an item that can be used at the shelter (food, litter, etc.) for entry.
Kicking off Saturday’s schedule is the pet blessing at 8 a.m., followed by the dog walk-a-thon at 9 a.m. Walkers are encouraged to collect pledges and walk with their dogs, although those are not requirements.
Walkers who collect $15 receive a goody bag; $30 contributors receive a goody bag and event tee shirt; and $50 or more a long sleeve or short sleeve shirt and goody bag. Prizes are awarded to walkers raising the most money in both age groups (24 years and under and 25 years and above).
Later that day, there will be a dog costume contest and Happy Tails pet parade, which is open to animals adopted from the HSRC and their families, and the Best in Show dog show at noon.
Sunday’s activities will start with a 5K. Prizes are awarded to the top three men and top three women. Online registration is available for $20. Like the dog walk-a-thon, runners participating in the 5K are also encouraged to collect pledges. The person who raises the most money will be given a gift basket from Pet Supplies Plus.
A second dog walk-a-thon and Happy Tails pet parade will be held in addition to a search and rescue demonstration performed by the Best Paws Forward Training Academy and an agility demonstration.
At 2 p.m., visitors can test their corn hole skills in the corn hole tournament. The registration fee is $30 per team.
The festival will also feature a face painting booth, dock diving by Buckeye Dock Dogs, a raffle, and rummage sale, for which donations are welcomed.
Given its status as a nonprofit, the HSRC is funded by donations, and the Strut Your Mutt event is one of the major fundraisers for the organization. Money goes toward food, housing costs, and medical attention.
All of the dogs that are taken in have suffered from some sort of abuse, neglect, or abandonment; thus, almost every animal rescued has to have some sort of veterinary care. Once the animals are adopted, they need to be spayed and neutered, given shots, and micro-chipped.
The HSRC manages mainly dogs and cats, but it has helped house birds, rabbits, alligators, snakes, and pigs.
To find out more info or to donate, go to http://www.adoptourstrays.com/ or go to https://www.facebook.com/adoptourstrays.
