Citizens, animals to walk for Humane Association

Hundreds of pet owners and their dogs will gather this Sunday in Karst Farm Park to raise money for the Monroe County Humane Association. \nThe 12th annual Walk for the Animals fundraiser will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. at the park, located at 2450 S. Endwright Rd., on Bloomington’s southwest side.\nThe walk follows a trail with animal-themed activities along the way. Some activities include musical sit, an agility course, a canine water park, a children’s area run by Wonderlab and an area where animals are available for adoption from the Bloomington Animal Shelter. \nLaurie Ringquist, Bloomington Animal Care and Control director, said the walk is a great way for animal lovers to come together. \n“It’s a great opportunity to interact with other people who care about animals,” she said. \nMCHA intern and IU alumna\nKristen Grigsby said she has been working on the fundraiser for several months. \n“I’m looking forward to seeing all my hard work pay off,” \nshe said.\nHayes said the event raised $17,000 last year and hopes to surpass that mark this year. Most walk participants collect donations prior to the walk or make donations at the door. The top three fundraisers receive prizes. \nParticipants who raise at least $20 will get free admission and a dog bandana. Those who raise at least $50 will receive the aforementioned prizes and a Walk for the \nAnimals T-shirt.\nSarah Hayes, the Humane Association’s chief executive officer, said everyone is welcome at the event. General admission is $5 per dog, and no registration is required. All dogs must have current vaccination records, be leashed at all times, except when in off-leash play areas, and get along with other dogs.\nWalk for the Animals is the largest community fundraising event for the MCHA and the largest animal welfare event in the county, Hayes said. She said that 100 percent of the proceeds from the event go to MCHA programs. \nHayes said the MCHA is involved in most animal-related issues in the county. Two of its most established programs are animal welfare classes and a spay/neuter program.\nThe MCHA runs about 200 free humane education classes every year at schools around the county and sponsors a spay/neuter program that provides 30,000 discounted operations every year. Funds also go toward advocating animal welfare legislation and the animal shelter’s operating budget. \n“If there’s anything animal-related going on, we’re involved in some way,”\nHayes said.