Tails will wag and the fur will fly next Saturday at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds.
The Kitsap Humane Society will host the 15th annual PetsWALK from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 31, in and around the Van Zee building at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds.
PetsWALK is the humane society’s second largest fund-raiser, bringing in about $25,000 each year.
“We’re hoping to bring in about $26,000 this year,” said Rebecca Cooper, Kitsap Humane Society events coordinator. “PetsWALK is really one of my favorites because that’s one where kids break open the piggy banks and ask Aunt Matilda and grandma for donations.”
People must donate a minimum of $15 to participate in either the 1k or 5k walks at the event. Participants and their pets need not walk the entire course, Cooper said.
“They only need to walk for as long as they’re comfortable,” she said.
While the walks require donations, people can watch various demonstrations and peruse vendors’ goods inside the Van Zee building without giving money, but donations are always accepted from non-walk participants.
“Anybody is welcome to come and view the different demonstrations,” Cooper said. “We have all kinds of things.”
Laura Daugereau, of Port Gamble, will be at PetsWALK from 9 to 11:45 a.m. Daugereau is the first woman from Washington to complete the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Alaska. Daugereau and one of her lead dogs, Bella, will greet PetsWALK participants throughout the morning.
The Emerald City K-9 Freestyle Dog Dancers will perform at 11:15 a.m. and various search and rescue and tracking demonstrations will be given during PetsWALK. The Washington State Patrol bomb dogs and Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office K-9 officers and dogs will be in attendance and displaying their talents as well.
The Peninsula Dog Fanciers will host a “meet the breeds” event where people can “come and get familiar with different dog breeds,” Cooper said. A pet communicator will be on hand to give animal lovers an inside look at what their pets are thinking.
Apple Tree Cove Animal Hospital will host a microchip clinic at PetsWALK. Microchips and registration costs $30.
Animals of all shapes and sizes are welcome at PetsWALK. While dogs show up in the greatest numbers, past PetsWALK attendees include a pot-bellied pig and a pony. Pets can show off their talents and compete in a Frisbee, costume or talent contest as well.
“There are some really cool prizes for those,” Cooper said.
People can register for PetsWALK at any time right up until May 31. Teams consist of a minimum of two people and must register by 4:30 p.m. Thursday, May 29, to qualify for the team prizes.
“We’ve got some really cool prizes for our teams this year,” Cooper said.
Adult teams who raise the most money for the Kitsap Humane Society will receive group tickets to Experience Music Project and the Science Fiction Museum in Seattle. Winning children’s teams will be treated to a party at My Gym.
Other PetsWALK prizes for individual walkers include two tickets to Wild Waves and Seattle Storm tickets.
Walk participants who donate at least $35 will receive a pet bandana and those who raise at least $50 will get a bandana and 2008 PetsWALK T-shirt while supplies last.
Registration for PetsWALK the day of the event is at 9 a.m. and the walk starts at 10 a.m. PetsWALK will be held rain or shine.
“Just remember it’s all about the animals,” Cooper said.
For more information about PetsWALK or to obtain a registration form, visit the Kitsap Humane Society’s Web site at www.kitsaphumane.org or call the humane society’s events department at (360) 692-6977, ext. 113.
