The third annual Salisbury Paws in the Park dog walk fundraiser to benefit Faithful Friends Animal Shelter, Webster No Pet Left Behind Spay/Neuter Clinic and the LandTrust for Central North Carolina will be Saturday at Knox Middle School, 1625 W. Park Road.
Early registration will be available online at www.salisburypawsintheparkcom through Thursday for $12.
Participants may also preregister for a discounted rate at a Port-A-Pit fundraiser for Paws in the Park on Wednesday at the J.F. Hurley Family YMCA on Jake Alexander Boulevard. Tickets are $8 and include 1/2 BBQ chicken, baked beans, slaw, roll and dessert. Cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted.
Meals are available for pickup between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Diners can eat in or drive through. Delivery is offered for orders of over 10 plates. To place an order, call the YMCA at 704-636-0111 or Joel Linn at 704-798-3528.
On Saturday, Paws in the Park registration and check-in will begin at 9:30 a.m. and the 1.5-mile walk will start at 10:30 a.m. The entry fee to walk is $17 per person, regardless of the number of dogs in attendance. This will cover the cost of registration and an event T-shirt while supplies last. Participants under the age of 12 walk for free and additional event T-shirts will be available for purchase.
Immediately following the walk, Doggie Olympics, hosted by Lazy 5 Ranch Veterinary Services, will begin. The events will consist of best dressed, most talented, marshmallow toss, musical sit, fastest dog and timed eating contests.
Judges for the Doggie Olympics this year include Salisbury Chief of Police Mark Wilhelm, Rowan County Sheriff George Wilhelm, Salisbury Fire Chief Bobby Parnell, Rowan-Salisbury School Superintendent Dr. Judy Grissom and Skip Wood of CommunityOne Bank. A medal ceremony for these events will be held at 1:15 p.m. and entry fee for the Doggie Olympics is $5.
Funds raised during the Port-A-Pit event and walk will assist in building awareness and help support public outreach and conservation education initiatives of the LandTrust for Central North Carolina, Faithful Friends Animal Shelter, an animal rescue group, created to establish a no-kill animal sanctuary in Rowan County and Webster No Pet Left Behind Spay/Neuter Clinic.
All are non-profit organizations established to benefit local causes in Rowan County.
Major sponsors include: Lazy 5 Veterinary Services; CommunityOne Bank; Miller Davis, Inc.; Dr. Brandon Aron; Angela Hall, CPA; Walser Technology Group; Jarrell Contractors, Inc.; and Salisbury Pediatrics.
For information, visit www.salisburypawsinthe park.com. or contact Joel Linn at salisburypawsinthepark2009@gmail.com.