FORT LAUDERDALE, FL -- The 23rd Annual Walk for the Animals presented by VCA Animal Hospitals and sponsored by PETCO Foundation, Ed Morse Automotive Group, Purina/Tidy Cat and Merial is just a few weeks away, and for the first time ever dogs will be available for adoption as this popular event.
In the fall of 2012 the Humane Society of Broward County, in conjunction with the ASPCA, created the shelter's new Adoption Ambassador Program. This program is similar to foster care... but goes a step further. Adoption Ambassadors provide temporary homes for select dogs; however unlike foster families Ambassadors promote the dogs through their own network of friends and associates. In addition they also take the dogs to popular pet-friendly, highly visible events, such as the Walk for the Animals, to help maximize their dogs' availability and exposure to potential adopters. All the dogs are fitted with bright orange "Adopt Me" vests so everyone knows they are looking for a forever home. Since inception, 57 families have signed up to be ambassadors and 87 dogs have found their new forever homes. So if you're looking to adopt, stop by the Walk...you may just find your next four-legged family member.
The Walk for the Animals is Saturday, March 2, 2013 at Huizenga Plaza in Downtown Fort Lauderdale and is chaired by Jennifer Kennedy and Carey Morgan. Registration opens at 8:00 a.m. and the 1.25-mile walk will begin at 10:00 a.m. Honorary Chairs for the Walk include Jacey Birch of WPLG Local 10 News and Darlene Evens from 99.9 Kiss.
As an incentive to have even more animal lovers participate, every registered walker who raises a minimum of $150 by 11:00 a.m. on Walk Day, (Saturday March 2, 2013) will automatically be entered for the chance to win two (2) VIP tickets to the Rihanna Diamonds World Tour at the BB&T Center on Saturday, April 20th. Tickets include VIP Parking, all you can eat, drink and a great show!
In addition, every registered walker who raises $500 or more by 11:00 a.m. on Walk Day, (Saturday March 2, 2013) will automatically be entered for the chance to win a $1,000 Target Shopping Spree!
Winners need not be present to win and you do not need a dog to participate.
There are a number of ways to get involved and help the shelter reach their $500,000 goal. Participants can create a personal fundraising page at www.Walk4theAnimals.com and ask friends, family and co-workers to make donations. You can also pick up a walk registration form at the Humane Society of Broward County – 2070 Griffin Road, Fort Lauderdale; VCA Animal Hospitals, Pet Supermarkets, PETCO, or any Broward IHOP.
Sponsors for the 2013 Walk for the Animals include: VCA Animal Hospital, PETCO Foundation, Merial, Purina, Tidy Cat, Pet Supermarket, Ed Morse Automotive Group, BB&T, Verizon Wireless, Target, Angels' Eyes, Hair Cuttery, Emerald Hills Pharmacy, La Croix, Service America, Katz Barron Squitero Faust, Country Inn Pet Resort, Pfizer, Target, The GEO Group, Broward Health, Funderdome, Oasis Outsourcing, Brown & Brown Insurance, City County Credit Union, Alpha Dog Marketing, Boehringer Ingelheim, Ron Jon Surf Shop, Tri-Rail, Pet Emergency, Four Paws, Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group, IHOP, 99.9 KISS Country, Jimmy Johns, Publix, Stiles, Trueba Media, WPLG Channel 10, Mack Planet, The Flyer.com, and Wizard Creations.
The Humane Society of Broward County is a private non-profit organization made possible by the generous donations of animal enthusiasts like you. The shelter is not affiliated with any other organization with a similar name and receives no funding from the government. To learn more about the HSBC or see animals available for adoption visit www.humanebroward.com For more information about the walk, please call Jennifer at 954-266-6817 or email jwieczorek@hsbroward.com
