Gather your pledges, leash up Fido and come out to support the medical expenses for the homeless & neglected animals of Harford County

For Immediate Release

Contact: Mary Leavens
Humane Society of Harford County
410-836-1090, x101
[email protected]

Fallston, MD (September 18, 2012) – It’s time to high-tail it to Harford County’s premier pet event, the Walk & Wag-a-Thon and Pet Fair! Join hundreds of animal lovers on Saturday, November 3, 2012 to raise crucial funds to support the medical expenses for the animals at the Humane Society of Harford County (HSHC). This year features a NEW Furry Friends 5K fun run on the Ma and Pa Trail sponsored by the Renaissance All Sports Athletic Club (RASAC). Registration for the 5K begins at 7:30 a.m. and registration for the walk begins at 8:30 a.m. This family-oriented event runs until 1:00 p.m. at the Harford County Equestrian Center, 608 N. Tollgate Road in Bel Air.

Move your paws for a great cause and get started now raising pledges for Harford County’s homeless and neglected animals. It’s easy and it’s fun to join us. Click here and follow the links to print a pledge sheet and set up your own personalized fundraising web page. Ask your friends, family, co-workers and neighbors to support the animals with a tax-deductible donation. Challenge your co-workers to form a team and fundraise together as a pack. Prizes will be awarded to the team and the individual that raises the most money.

The Walk & Wag-a-Thon and Pet Fair, the largest event of its kind in Harford County, is a fun-filled day of contests, demonstrations, raffles, vendor displays, and more. This year’s walk will feature a fascinating sheep herding demonstration. Representatives from Mid-Atlantic Disc Dogs will be back this year to delight the crowd with their high-flying antics set to toe-tapping music. Visit the Mobile Adoption Unit and test your dog for the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certificate. Aberdeen’s Steel Horse Restaurant will cater the event. Parking is free.

Bring donations and pledge sheets to the registration table (7:30 am if you’re running; 8:30 am if you’re walking). There is a $4 registration fee for runners that are not members of RASAC. Humane Society magnets will be given out as supplies last, and event t-shirts will be given to participants who raise $100 or more. The Furry Friends 5K run will begin at 8 a.m. (no dogs will be permitted to run in the 5K) followed by an awards presentation at 9 a.m. The walk steps off at 11:15 a.m. Enjoy a multitude of contests throughout the event including: best costume, best kisser, musical tails, and best trick. A $1 donation is suggested to enter each contest.

If you don’t own a dog, or if your pet is not able to walk, borrow a deserving shelter dog. Call 410-836-1090, x102 to reserve a dog. A limited number of dogs are available and must be reserved prior to the event.

The Furry Friends 5K is one of 2 races in the RASAC “5 & 5 Fall Challenge.” The Challenge includes the Furry Friends 5K followed by the 5-mile Fall Frolic on Sunday, November 4, 2012 at the Eden Mill Nature Center. Participants can run in one race or the other, OR accept the challenge of doing them both and receive a special gift! There is a $4 race fee for non-RASAC members (only required once for both races). Awards will be presented to the winners of each race and also for the top combined times for both races.

Three different levels of sponsorships are available to showcase your business in front of hundreds of animal lovers. Our major sponsor is the Animal Emergency Hospital. Vendor spaces are also available inside the vendor pavilion. For more information about becoming a vendor or sponsoring the event, click here or contact Mary Leavens at 410-836-1090, x101.

Schedule of Events:

7:30am – Furry Friends 5K Registration

8:00 – Furry Friends 5K Run Begins

8:30 – Walk Registration / Vendor Pavilion Open

9:00 – Furry Friends 5K Awards Presentation

9:15 – *Best Trick Contest
Showcase your dog’s best trick for prizes!

9:45 – *Costume Contest
Bring your own costume and strut your stuff for a chance to win a great prize!

10:30 – Sheep Herding Demonstration
Marvel at the way the dog gets the sheep where its owner wants them to go.

11:15 – Walk Steps Off / Ribbon Cutting / Blessing of the Animals

11:45 – *Best Kisser Contest
Pucker up and enter your dog to win a fabulous prize!

12:15 – Mid-Atlantic Disc Dogs Show
You’re in for a treat when these high-flying dogs start wowing the crowd with their leaps and acrobatics!

12:45 – *Musical Tails Contest
The last dog sitting when the music stops is out!

1:00 – Conclusion of Event
* $1 donation requested per contest entry

About the Humane Society of Harford County
The Humane Society of Harford County, Inc., is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to the welfare and well-being of the approximately 4,500 animals that come to us each year. We promote the kind treatment of homeless, stray and abandoned animals by providing shelter, care, adoptions, and community education. We are not a county agency nor are we affiliated with any national or regional organization. Your tax-deductible donations, bequests, and proceeds from events are crucial to our life-saving efforts on behalf of the animals of our community.

About RASAC
The Renaissance Allsports Athletic Club (RASAC) is a not-for-profit Harford County organization with goals to promote amateur sports competition and physical fitness. RASAC is the oldest running club in Maryland and has been supporting running since 1966. The group maintains a website at www.rasac.com.