By Cynthia Bard Mayes, One thing I have noticed about Louisville is that we love our pets. Maybe it’s because we have so many lovely area parks in which to walk our dogs. Or maybe it’s because we have pet-friendly businesses that allow us to bring our animal friends along when we hang out with our human friends. Or, maybe Louisvillians just have a lot of heart. Regardless, our love of animals has helped birth many animal charities in the area and this Saturday, No Kill Louisville will be helping out animals in the area by holding their third annual Million Mutt March at Hogan’s Fountain in Cherokee Park from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. President of No Kill Louisville Jessica Reid said about the Million Mutt March, “This event is an opportunity for pet lovers to come together in a show of support for all pets in need - proving that our community's pets matter. It also exposes the public to local shelters and rescues and pet-friendly businesses, including ways we each can help." Funds raised by the 5k walk/run and 3k walk will benefit the pets and people helped through No Kill Louisville’s programs and services. Registration is open on their website and you can also register the day of the event from 8:00 a.m.-8:45 a.m. Not interested in walking? No problem, as there will also be disc dog demonstrations, food, drink, raffles, 50/50 cash prizes and also dozens of pet-friendly vendors. New to this year’s event will be a pet costume contest, one for the public’s pets and one for shelter/adoptable pets at 11:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., respectively. The entry fee is just $5 and winners will be chosen for “Best Dressed” and “Most Creative.” This year, the Featured Shelter will be the Jeffersonville shelter, J.B. Ogle Animal Shelter, as they have recently announced plan to go No Kill by August 2013. There will also be adoptable pets from this shelter, as well as other local rescues and shelters, for the public to meet. Admission is free but attendees are asked to bring wet cat, kitten, dog or puppy food for the Pet Food Bank, which helps low income families keep their pets out of the animal shelter system. Free parking and free shuttle service is being offered to and from Baptist Seminary from 7:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Park at the back lots located in the 2700 block of Grinstead Drive to catch the shuttle to the race, vendor and demonstration areas. So, let’s review: helping animals in need….animals in costume (come on, who isn’t a sucker for animals dressed up for trick or treat???)….food and drink….raffles….free shuttles…..what’s not to like? My son and I have attended this event the last two years and he has loved it. I have loved it as well but the one downfall for me is that I unable to bring home with me every adoptable animal, as they have all seemed to melt my heart. So, maybe your pet soul mate awaits you at this year’s Million Mutt March. And if not, maybe you will at least see a dog dressed in a hotdog bun. Win. Win. "The No Kill model is focused on public awareness and involvement in animal welfare. It means we can save all our adoptable pets by implementing a more intelligent, thoughtful business model for our shelters and community." Photos courtesy of No Kill Louisville. Source: Louisville
