Pets take to the races for annual 5K

Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007

Click here to enlarge this photo Photos Courtesy of the Humane Society of Calvert County Christie and Justin Callahan of California, Md., walk their pet during the fifth annual Pet Day 5K in Solomons on Saturday, Sept. 22. The annual event supports the Humane Society. E-Mail This Article | Print This Story Click here to enlarge this photo Participants take off during the fifth annual Pet Day 5K on Sept. 22 in Solomons.

The fundraiser is the society’s biggest throughout the year and funds raised go toward food, shelter and medical bills for the animals in the society’s care.

The society, located at Fishing Creek Kennel in Sunderland, is a ‘‘no-kill” animal rescue organization, meaning it operates under a non-euthanasia policy. Due to this policy, the kennel often cares for animals much longer than facilities which do euthanize, and fundraisers like the 5K help pay for that care.

The race has grown every year, but this year saw a dramatic increase in participation. Last year around 125 people ran in the race; this year there were over 250 runners and walkers. While word of mouth certainly plays a role, volunteers at the kennel believe that allowing participants to register for this year’s race online played a significant role in the turnout, which included 157 pre-registered runners.

‘‘I think the online registration has a lot to do with the increase,” said Jody Shaver of Owings, who is a dog walker for the kennel and is on the fundraising committee. ‘‘We had about 27 sponsors too, not just the participants. A lot of businesses sponsored us. Without the sponsors we wouldn’t be able to have the event.”

Among the sponsors at the event were the Perfect Pet Resort, Maertens Fine Jewelry and Gifts, Pets with Disabilities and Golden Retriever Rescue of Southern Maryland.

Last year’s event raised more than $9,000, and volunteers believe they reached this year’s goal of $10,000.

‘‘We are a no-kill facility funded directly on donations. We usually have around 60 dogs and 30 cats in our care at one time. We also have five paid staff members, so this helps pay for them,” said Kristy Horrocks of Huntingtown, who is also on the fundraising committee and, along with Shaver, organized the event.

The first 130 preregistered participants received T-shirts, and the first 50 dogs received doggy-bags containing everything from toys and treats to bandannas and food scoops.

‘‘It was extremely successful. We never expected such a response. We were very happy to see everything, and we ran out of everything. I guess that’s a good thing,” Horrocks said.

John and Cindy Hager of Lusby have run in the event ever since it started because they like exercising and they like what the society does for animals like their three dogs: Simba, a golden retriever, Baron, a white German shepherd, and Maya, a mixed-breed, all of whom were adopted from the kennel.

‘‘[Simba] was a rescue dog when the hurricane came through a couple years ago and he lost his home. [Baron] was beaten for the first year of his life, and [Maya] was thrown from a car and left on the street. The Humane Society does all it can for these animals, and that is why we support the organization,” John Hager said.

Lauren Flory of Sunderland, a senior at Huntingtown High School who works and volunteers at the kennel, jokingly claims to be tricked into helping out with the event every year by Shaver and Horrocks, but says the money raised is not only for the animal’s health, but also their comfort.

‘‘It gets us all the food we need, helps us buy cleaning supplies and keep the kennel clean. It also helps pay for the hospitals and advertising. It all goes to helping the animals live a better life so they can be as happy as possible,” Flory said.