One local animal support organization is once again hosting a special walk to raise money for small four-legged pets.
Animal and human walkers alike are invited to join Because You Care in a day of exercise, entertainment and prizes on Sept. 9 for a great cause. Located at the Liberty Park Burger King Amphitheater, Because You Care’s 17th annual Walk for Small Animals features door prizes, basket raffles, music, vendors, food and entertainment.
Registration begins at noon, and the walk with kick off at 1 p.m. rain or shine.
Walkers raise money for animals by collecting money. For every $50 raised or donated, walkers will receive a chance to win an Apple iPad. All walkers who raise or donate $25 or more will receive an official Because You Care Walk for Small Animals t-shirt.
During the walk, special prizes will be given to the walkers who raise the most money. In order to obtain a pledge form for the walk and fundraiser, visit becauseyoucare.org/walk for the official form.
For walkers and non-walkers, more than a dozen gift baskets will be raffled off – some baskets worth more than $100. Visit the website for a description of the prizes in the raffle. All proceeds from the raffle go directly to the Franklin Fund, which was established to support animals who have been severely injured or ill or have been abandoned and are in need of medical care to survive.
This year’s walk and fundraiser is one of the organization’s largest efforts to raise funds for veterinary care, food and supplies for abandoned and abused animals.
While the majority of the funds will be raised by human efforts, dogs with updated vaccinations are able to walk in the event. Owners must provide current rabies tags. Park regulations state t hat dogs must be on a leash at least 6 feet long at all times. Puppies must be at least 6 months old in order to walk. Female dogs in season are not allowed. Clean-up bags and doggie water stations will be provided to walkers.
The route for the event is the sidewalk around the amphitheater. Walkers should dress for the weather, with the event happening rain or shine. Walkers under the age of 14 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
Because You Care is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, all-volunteer organization that was founded in 1981. Because You Care pets live with families in foster homes in instead of mass housing units. In order to reduce the number of unwanted and stray pets, Because You Care spays and neuters all pets that are part of the facility.
To find out more about Because You Care or to download the pledge form, visit becauseyoucare.org, call (814) 866-5039 or mail P.O. Box 54, McKean, PA, 16426.
Christopher LaFuria can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or at (814) 756-4133.
