Mutts and Monsters Walk-A-Thon

STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICOLE CALHAU

Relaxing after a day of fun. (Photography by Nicole Calhau/ The Sheridan Sun

Paws up to everyone who attended the Mutts and Monsters Walk-A-Thon and Tails in Town BBQ at the Oakville Arena Park on Oct. 26. The events raised some $4,000 for The Dog Rescuers Inc.

Participants took part in a 1k or 2.5k walk led by Oakville Mayor Rob Burton and his wife Wendy – along with their Portuguese water dog, Willow.

“There’s a kindness that we’re witnessing here, in that we don’t want these poor creatures to have a bad life. It’s unfortunate,” said Burton. “They are an amazing group of tireless volunteers and they operate out of love for these animals and they’ve been marvelously successful.”

Throughout the walk participants had the chance to look for hidden monsters to win a prize at the end.

After the walk, participants shopped at booths and enjoyed a pumpkin sale and other activities – including a dog and human-friendly costume contest.

And it was all for a good cause – The Dog Rescuers Inc. gives a second chance to dogs that might not have had a great start.

It allows the dog to get rehabilitated and integrate with other dogs and humans so they can potentially find a forever home.

Vanessa Lupton, vice-president of The Dog Rescuers Inc. says working at a rescue is rewarding – and events like Mutts and Monsters really help to save animals.

“Every dollar raised in the event goes right back into the dogs at our program. We are entirely volunteer-run,” she says. “There is not one person on our team that takes a pay cheque home. By coming out and showing your support, you’ve made a difference.”

Oakville firefighters even made an appearance and joined everyone in the Tails in Town BBQ. People flocked to see how fire trucks operate, and all firefighters were more than willing to demonstrate.

“It’s a lot of effort, but everyone coming together, the community coming together to raise funds,” said Anamanda DaSilva-Pert, who has volunteered with the rescue for four years. “It’s great to see people coming together to help these dogs.”

The Dog Rescuers Inc. is a non-profit that was founded in 2009 by Joan Znidarec. It relies solely on help from the community, adoption fees and volunteers for funding and care of the dogs.

“We are non-profit so we aren’t qualified for government grants or funding. So we rely entirely on raising funds and donations from members of the public,” says Lupton. “Having events like Mutts and Monsters helps provide us with proper vet care, food, and making sure we can continue to make a difference in the lives of our dogs.”