It’s a little too soon to grab the leash and get your dog excited about joining in our third annual Mutt Strut and Pet Fair because it doesn’t happen until Saturday, Sept. 29, but now is the perfect time for you to register and start collecting pledges. Join or create a team for even more fun.  The Mutt Strut and Pet Fair is the annual big fundraiser for the Rohnert Park Animal Shelter, which is hosted by the Animal Shelter League of Rohnert Park.

Join hundreds of other shelter supporters, with and without canines, on an easy one-mile creek path walk to raise funds for the shelter’s life-saving programs. There are great prizes for the top fundraisers in several categories. Also, the first 300 walkers who register with a minimum of $50 will receive a goodie bag, an event T-shirt, and a bandana for your dog.  But if you raise more in pledges, you could earn more prizes.

For $250 in pledges –  a goodie bag, bandana for your dog, a t-shirt, and a water bottle,

For $500 in pledges – a goodie bag, bandana for your dog, a t-shirt, water bottle and a wine bottle full of treats for your dog,      
                 
The top team will earn a private party at the Shelter Dog Park with food and drink provided,
and the top individual earner will win the right for their dog to be next year’s “Spokespup” for our Mutt Strut...with their pet’s name and picture on all our printed materials.

Registration is easy, and by doing it online, we provide you with a free Web page for you to solicit support from your friends, family and co-workers.  Go to the Animal Shelter League’s website at animalshelterleaguerp.org/muttstrut and click on the ‘Register Now’ button.  Paper registration forms are available at the shelter for those who prefer that method.  Either way, start now to have a chance at these great prizes and to raise money for the animals.  Help us reach our goal of making $20,000 at this event.  Remember, you don’t even have to have a dog to register for this walk.

Be sure to put the day on your calendar and plan on coming early – the Pet Fair runs from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. with K-9 demonstrations, vendors with pet related items (vendor applications are still being accepted), nonprofit animal organizations, delicious food, a chance to win great raffle prizes, and lots of fun contests.  The day promises to be fun for everyone – including the dog.

Can’t make the event? You can still support the shelter by sponsoring a walker or simply making a donation online at the Animal Shelter League’s Web site.  We thank our top sponsors for their support – Big Dog Sportwear, Froggy 92.9 and Going to the Dog’s Thrift Store.  Hope to see you at the Mutt Strut.

Upcoming events: Meet the Bunny, second Saturday of each month (next one is Aug. 11), 1-5:30 p.m. at the shelter.  Meet our adorable adoptable rabbits, have your care questions answered by our knowledgeable volunteers, bring your bunny for a free nail trim, and shop our Bunny Boutique for fresh hay, fun toys and fabulous deals on supplies.

Mickey Zeldes is the supervisor at the Rohnert Park Animal Shelter. She can be contacted at mzeldes@rpcity.org.