5K CANINE CLASSIC RUN/WALK

Sunday, October 6, 8 a.m Start Time, Pier Village, Long Branch, NJ

Shrewsbury, NJ (September 18, 2013) – On Sunday, October 6 the Purr’n Pooch Foundation for Animals invites you and your pup to walk, run and heel for animals at the Purr’n Pooch Foundation’s annual 5K Canine Run Walk Classic.  The race starts at 8 a.m. oceanfront at Pier Village in Long Branch, N.J. All are welcome to attend and dogs are required to run or walk on leash. Pre-register at www.purrnpoochfoundation.org. Race shirts will be given to all two-legged participants. Cost is $25 per adult and dogs walk or run free. Race is rain or shine.

Paws down dog owners are more likely to engage in physical activity and stay fit and healthy just by walking or running with their best friends a minimum of 2-3 times a day. Combine your love of staying in shape with your pet by registering for pet-friendly events across the NY/NJ region. These events provide fun venues for getting out with your pup and often raise funds for less fortunate animals and the charities that care for them.

Before starting any physical fitness routine, visit your veterinarian to make sure that your new up or old friend is up to meeting the physical demands of a high impact walk or run. Once you get the green light from your vet, start an exercise routine with easy strolls and build up to a comfortable, quicker pace that gets both you and your best friend’s hearts pumping. Even a dog that has been with a family for years, but has not been very active will need to be checked out by his vet before burning those calories.

“We look forward to hosting Purr’n Pooch’s Second Annual 5K Canine Run Walk Classic. It’s a great day seaside at the dog-friendly Pier Village where people and their pups get a running start to benefit animal charities from across NJ and NY,” said Elizabeth Palazzo Dudick, President, Purr’n Pooch Foundation for Animals. “Getting out to enjoy time with our pups and friends on what we hope will be a beautiful fall morning, is one small step we can take to help unsung heroes who take huge strides daily to help animals in need of love and rescue.”

The Purr’n Pooch Foundation for Animals awards annual grants to non-profit, no-kill animal welfare organizations to be used for day-to-day operations, emergency relief, spay/neuter efforts, veterinary care, equipment, construction, vehicle purchases, educational programs and special projects. The organization is able to help support the efforts of the charitable organizations by holding fundraisers such as the race. In 2013 the Foundation awarded grants to organizations including Operation Kindness, Marine Mammal Stranding Center, Ramapo-Bergen Animal Rescue, Monmouth County SPCA, ReRun Horse Rescue, Mid-Atlantic Bull Dog Rescue and New Life Boxer Rescue.

Get ready to lace up your sneakers and join the race by visiting www.purrnpoochfoundation.org to register today.  If you and your four-legged companion aren’t ready to hit the competitive world of racing just yet, you can still join the Foundation and have a great time cheering on the participants. You might also get inspired to start hitting the pavement with your pet and begin training for next year’s race!