Dog-Walking Has Never Been So Rewarding
By Sandi Cain, Best Friends Network volunteerThe all-volunteer 501(c) 3 group Walk for the Underdog will host its annual Walk to raise funds for local rescue groups on Sunday, May 18 at La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles. The goal is to raise at least $100,000 in support of helping homeless dogs through donations to area rescue groups. Last year, 400 people walked—with or without their own dogs—and 3,500 people attended the event. Thirty rescue groups benefited from the funds raised. The underdogs waiting for adoption will be more than happy to become a ‘top dog’ with a home at this event, too!
Registration opens and 10 a.m. and the 1-mile walk begins at 11 a.m. But there’s music, food, vendors and other fun contests from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. to enjoy! All proceeds benefit dog rescue in Los Angeles. All organizers donate their time.
Walk For The Underdog was started by Helena Kriel and Arthur Jeon when they went to L.A.’s South Central Shelter to try to rescue a pit bull that was about to be euthanized. They were heartbroken by seeing the scared and underweight animals in the cages and decided to get involved in helping homeless dogs find homes. Now the core group numbers 11. This event involves grass roots supporters of rescue efforts; Petco is a sponsor.
There are dozens of ways to get involved:First, go to
http://www.walkfortheunderdog.orgThere you can click on the appropriate links to
• Sponsor a walker (even a stranger!)
• Donate
• Register to walk
• Register as a vendor
• Sign up to help—either before the event or at the event
• Download the flyer to distribute to your friends and in your own community
• Form your own ‘dog pack’ of walkers—from your company, your neighborhood, your school or from your MySpace or Facebook community! The biggest ‘pack’ of walkers will be rewarded with individual ‘swag bags’ of doggie goodies at the event.
• Enter the rescue story contest online. Simply submit one paragraph describing how you rescued your own dog. Once you receive a confirmation via email, distribute an invite to your friends and family to vote for you. The winner will tell his/her story at the event and get a luxurious spa treatment, a pet portrait certificate for the pet and a $50 gift certificate to Healthy Spot for holistic pet food and products.
• Donate to the silent auction by calling Jen at (323) 463-8650 or by emailing
jenwolf22@sbcglobal.net.
For more information:
Email <a href="mailto: info@walkfortheunderdog.org" target="_blank">info@walkfortheunderdog.org</a>
Media inquiries: Susan Hartzler, Alpha Dog PR (818) 998-6299.
Photo of rescue dog Dan the Man used with permission from Walk for the Underdog