Pet Walk funds Hinsdale Humane Society's efforts to help homeless pets
Pam Salomone has seen the work of the Hinsdale Humane Society firsthand.
She's seen how the organization has saved homeless, abandoned and starving animals and found them caring homes.
But as noble as the group's cause may be, everybody involved knows it can't continue without money to meet its operating costs. That's where Salomone, the group's special events director, comes in.
“If we don't raise enough money, we might not have the funds needed to help as many animals as we do in a year,” she said.
It's one reason the society is sponsoring its 23rd annual Pet Walk from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, June 3, at Katherine Legge Memorial Park in Hinsdale. The walkathon is the shelter's largest fundraiser and also features entertainment and contests.
Proceeds from the Pet Walk are used to operate the shelter year-round and help pay for food, medicine, supplies and kitty litter, among other items.
The walk includes services that help educate pet owners about pet care, including the opportunities to talk to pet intuitive Denise Zak or a veterinarian from Willow Grove Pet Clinic. Merrick Animal Hospital will offer a first aid station and Boone Animal Hospital will provide dental exams.
“We try to educate people about pet ownership and the responsibility of owning a pet,” Salomone said.
Pet owners can visit vendors that advertise and provide things like pet portraits, apparel, specialty treats, grooming, doggie day care and pet sitting. Many of the vendors offer product samples and giveaways.
Entertainment includes Frisbee dog demonstrations from the Windy City K-9 Disc Club, K-9 nosework demonstrations from Doggie Depot and K-9 police dog demonstrations from the Willowbrook Police Department.
Pet contests include Best Pet Tricks, Owner-Pet Look-Alike and Best Dressed Pet.
This year, organizers changed the walk course, making it more friendly to walk and to use. Also this year, walkers can participate in the passport program, in which they can get stamps after visiting vendors and can turn the passport in for prizes after visiting all of them.
Salomone said the event also serves to invite people of the community to come out and meet new people who are similarly interested in animals.
“We also call it a 'friendraiser,'” Salomone said. “It's a group of very like-minded people that are animal lovers.”
Registration forms are available at the Hinsdale Humane Society, 22 N. Elm St., and can be downloaded from hinsdalehumanesociety.org. Those interested can also register online at firstgiving.com/hinsdalehumane. Participants also can create their own Pet Walk fundraising page. For information, participants can contact Salomone at (630) 323-5630, ext. 17, or visit the shelter's website.
Salomone said people continue to participate because they enjoy getting together and interacting with other pet owners and the services offered.
“We actually had one woman come to 21 of the Pet Walks,” Salomone said.
But the importance of the fundraiser is not lost on people just because they're enjoying themselves.
“By participating,” she said, “they're helping save the lives of homeless animals.”
If you go
What: Hinsdale Humane Society's 23rd annual Pet Walk
When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, June 3
Where: Katherine Legge Memorial Park, 5901 S. County Line Road, Hinsdale
Cost: $25
Register: firstgiving.com/hinsdalehumane
Info: hinsdalehumanesociety.org