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Newspaper Clipping - Newspaper Clipping Scan - Blackhawk Park hosts Woofer and Hoofer Walk a Thon - 5/16/2001v Vr Eagan park goes to the dogs, other pets May 19 Woofer and Hoofer Walk- A-Thon seeks to meet $40,000 fundraising goal By Joshua Nichols Sun Newspapers When most people think about walking their pet, they are most likely thinking about a dog. However, people walking around Eagan's Blackhawk Park May 19 will likely see more than just dogs. The Minnesota Valley Hu- mane Society's (MVHS) 18th annual Woofer and Hoofer Pet Festival and Walk-A-Thon is set for the park that day. "Anybody can walk in the event, with or without a pet," MVHS Executive Director Lynae Gieseke said. "It doesn't have to just be a dog either. We've usually have people walk- ing cats and last year we had people actually walking guinea pigs and hamsters and other pets." Whether participants walk their cats and dogs or carry their smaller pets around the mile -long trail circling Black - hawk Lake, they will help the 10A Apple Valley/Rosemount, Eagan Sun•Current/Wednesday, May 16, 2001 MVHS raise money to continue to support its programs. Like other walk-a-thons, walkers in the Woofer and Hoofer get friends and relatives to sponsor them for walking in the event. But the day's activi- ties won't be limited to only the walk, Gieseke said. "We'll have pet photography for those people who want pro- fessional pictures taken of their pets," she said. "We are also planning games for the kids and will be selling food. There will also be a silent auction, vendor booths and other fun contests." Those contests include such things as owner/pet look -a -like, "most interesting pet," and largest and smallest pet con- tests. The day will kick off with reg- istration a 9 a.m. with the walk beginning at 10:30 a.m. Black - hawk Park is on Murphy Park- way, east of Blackhawk Road and north of Deerwood Drive. Last year with cold weather hampering turnout for the event, the MVHS raised $30,000 from the walk. That cold snap led to the decision to move the event from when it WOOFER: To Page 10A www.mnSun.com Woofer: Fundraiser hopes to bring in $40,000 this year From Page lA was traditionally scheduled. "It was just so cold last year that we felt we should move it back a little this year," Gieseke said. "Even the dogs in their fur coats were shivering that day." Despite the bad luck with the cold last year, the event is rain or shine and has never had to deal with bad weather over the past 17 years, Gieseke said. This year the goal for the fundraising effort is $40,000, Gieseke said. People who want to help the society out but can- not be there in person can take in part in the "e-walk-a-thon" at www.helping.org. Gieseke said the event fits in perfect- ly with the last line in the MVHS mission statement setting a goal to "strengthen the human/animal bond." "A large part of our mission is to pro- mote the human/animal bond and this gives people a chance to bring their pets out to a fun event, talk with other pet owners, walk outdoors and enjoy a fun day," Gieseke said. "Through the events that bond will be strengthened between pet and owner." In addition, Gieseke hopes the event will remind people that many animals are in need of adoption and a good home. MVHS has found homes for more than 26,000 animals since it opened in 1991. "It can serve as a reminder to those who attend with their pets that while their pets have their human and that lov- ing bond, others do not," Gieseke said. "We hope they recognize that there are lots of animals waiting at the humane so- ciety that do not have that same bond and need a good home." To learn more about the Minnesota Valley Humane Society or about animals awaiting adoption, or to acquire a Woofer and . Hoofer form visit www.MVHSpets.org or call MVHS at 952-894-5000. Forms are also available at veterinarian offices, pet supply stores and at the MVHS office at 1313 Highway 13 E. in Burnsville.