It’s almost time for the Furry 5K!
Online registration for the 20th annual Furry 5K is open until midnight tonight! Visit www.furry5K.com! But if you miss the online registration, don’t worry — you can still register in-person on race day.
The Furry 5K is happening at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 9 at Seward Park in Seattle. Each year, the fun run attracts thousands of two-legged runners accompanied by hundreds of their four-legged furry companions. All proceeds directly support the shelter’s Help the Animals Fund.
The Help the Animals Fund was created in 1977 to pay for lifesaving veterinary care for sick, injured and abused animals at the shelter. As the shelter’s veterinary needs grew, volunteers started the Furry 5K in 1999 to raise money for the fund and to raise awareness about responsible pet ownership. In the 20 years since the first ever Furry 5K, the Seattle Animal Shelter has become a lifesaving organization with a save rate over 90%.
“For two decades now the Furry 5K has served as our primary fundraiser for the HTAF and has become our signature community event, giving us the opportunity to connect with our supporters and celebrate the human-animal bond in such a special way. SAS is an open-admissions shelter and accepts any animal that is surrendered or found within Seattle city limits,” said Ann Graves, Seattle Animal Shelter’s director. “Thanks to the generous Furry 5K donors, we are able to provide them with the care and veterinary services they need to ensure all adoptable animals are placed into loving homes. We are grateful as well to the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation for their work in running this year’s event.”
Shelter staff anticipates this year’s Furry 5K will draw more than 2,000 people and 1,000 canines. In-person registration begins at 10 a.m. on race day. The race will be followed by Pet-a-Palooza, featuring entertainment, music, contests, awards and an interactive vendor area. Admission to Pet-a-Palooza is free. The Furry 5K is one of the few races in the Puget Sound area that encourages participants to run or walk with their dogs.
Powered by pet licenses, volunteers and charitable donations, in 2018 Seattle Animal Shelter saved over 2,000 animals who were lost, injured, abused and neglected or in need of a new home. Additionally, the shelter’s low-cost Spay and Neuter Clinic performed more than 2,200 surgeries, preventing thousands of pets from becoming homeless in the future. The Seattle Animal Shelter, located at 2061 15th Ave. W., is open from 1 to 6 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday for adoptions and licensing. For more information, call 206-386-PETS (7387) or visit http://www.seattleanimalshelter.org.