By Kathleen Reynolds
Get your leashes and walking shoes ready for the 11th Walk for Animals coming Sunday, August 7 at the Oxbow Commons in downtown Napa.
“We’re excited to get back to our original version of the Walk for Animals,” says Wendi Piscia, executive director of Napa Humane. “For the past two years, the walk has been virtual and now we’re returning to a short, in-person stroll from the Oxbow Commons (on McKinstry Street) through downtown and back.”
“We’ll have fun pet contests such as tricks and costume competitions. There’s a great silent auction (for registered walkers) with a wide variety of items and vendor booths.”
All registered walkers receive a goodie bag and there’s an option of whether you want to get a t-shirt. Walkers can also enjoy music, pet-centric activities and photo opportunities. Organizers expect 450 to 500 walkers the day of the event.
“This is our main fundraiser of the year for Napa Humane,” says Wendi. “Our goal is to raise at least $75,000. It’s a great community event and celebrates the human and animal bond. The proceeds go toward continuing to provide spay and neuter services at a lower cost. Spay and neuter is the one solution to keeping puppies and kittens out of the shelter.”
Registration fees are $65 with a t-shirt, $46 without the shirt; youth 10 and younger receive a t-shirt for $20 when registered by a parent or guardian. Youth are free without receiving a t-shirt when the parent or guardian registers and they walk together. There will be registration the day of the event for $50 without a t-shirt. T-shirt sales on the day of the walk will be based on availability.
The Walk for Animals web site (napahumane.org) also offers the option to create a personal fundraising page. Registrants may choose to join alone or form a team. Participants can begin fundraising before the event and earn prizes along the way. The website offers tips and templates for your use in raising funds.
Sponsorships are still available. Sponsors currently include Handwritten Wines, Jessup Cellars, Southside Cafe, Drool Dog Cookies, Milo & Friends Pet Boutique, Napa Valley Coffee Roasting Company and Clif Family Winery. These companies are supporting Walk for Animals by offering treats for walkers and their canine companions as well as donating a portion of their sales.
Napa Humane is a 501(c)(3) organization supported entirely by donations, grants and fundraising events. Their mission is to promote the welfare of companion animals through protection, advocacy, education and by example. The Napa Humane vision is: “A humane home for every adoptable companion animal in Napa Valley.”
Napa Humane does not receive money from national animal organizations such as the Humane Society of the United States or the ASPCA. They also don’t receive government funds.
For registration and more information, visit napahumane.org or call 707-255-8118. Join the rest of the community who support companion animals on the Walk for Animals to raise funds for Napa Humane – serving Napa Valley pets and their people. napahumane.org