The 11th annual Wag-A-Tail Walk-A-Thon is sure to be a dog-gone good time.
The event, which takes place Sept. 9 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., is the Brandon Humane Society’s biggest fundraiser of the year, encouraging animal lovers to raise money to support the shelter.
“You don’t have to own an animal to get involved — you just have to have a love for animals and know that what you are doing is going to a great cause,” said Tracy Munn, the Brandon Humane Society’s shelter manager.
The Wag-A-Tail Walk-A-Thon has raised more than $40,000 in years past, and Munn said the organization will receive donations from across the country for the event.
The shelter, which typically houses about 30 dogs and 35 cats and has also found homes for everything from hedgehogs to rabbits, is an unfortunate necessity in the city, according to Munn.
“There are a lot of people that give these animals up, and we’re here to take them,” Munn said.
“I wish that wasn’t the case, but we can’t keep up with the demand. If we had 300 dog kennels and 300 cat kennels, we would still be full.”
The event will help cover some of the costs of caring for those animals.
In many cases, animals are abandoned by owners who never took the time to properly educate themselves.
“The biggest reason we’re here is people not being responsible animal owners and not spaying and neutering,” Munn said.
Munn said many owners don’t understand what they are getting into when they breed their animal, and in many cases, several of the animals will end up in the care of the shelter.
Pledge sheets for the event can be picked up on the Brandon Humane Society’s website and Munn said even if you don’t have the time to canvass to come down and bring your dog for the day — the Walk-A-Thon does request that people only bring dogs to the event due to safety concerns.
“Just show up and walk up to the table and donate $10 and enjoy the day,” Munn said.
“It’s a blast to see all the animals and you only need to love animals to come — you don’t have to own one.”
» ctweed@brandonsun.com
Republished from the Brandon Sun print edition September 1, 2012
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