Dogs can help raise money too

Hewitt — Lots of dogs should mark their calendars so their owners will bring them to the annual Walk-A-Dog-A-Thon on Sunday, Oct. 16, (rain date Oct. 23) at Wawayanda State Park on Warwick Turnpike in Hewitt. This annual event is sponsored by the West Milford Animal Shelter, a 100 percent volunteer-based organization, where the money raised directly benefits the homeless shelter animals. Every dog coming to the event will receive a free goodie bag filled with treats. Rescued or adopted dogs will also receive a special ribbon to honor them and their owners. All participants are eligible to win one of five great prizes by sponsoring themselves, obtaining sponsors and collecting donations. Enter alone, as a family, as a group or business; either way the five highest donation totals presented at the walk or received prior to the walk will win. The prizes are: Grand Prize: $400 cash First Prize: $300 ShopRite gift certificate donated by Inserra Supermarkets Second Prize: $299 Nook Color e-reader and $50 vet services certificate donated by Greenwood Lake Animal Hospital in Hewitt. Third Prize: $275 gift certificate to Café Amore Restaurant donated by Critter Sitter Pet Sitting Services in Hewitt. Fourth Prize: $250 Pet Portrait donated by Portrait Artistry by Linda Marie Plus all dogs are eligible for five fun contests for them and their caregivers. There’ll be prizes and ribbons for: Best Dressed (dog and owner); Smallest and Largest Dog by size; Best Dog Trick; Best Behaved (basic commands) Pucker-Up (best kisser). Judging starts at 1 p.m. and registration is free. Every $10 raised will feed one homeless cat, kitten or dog for a week. Every $25 raised will provide a series of vaccinations for one homeless dog, cat or kitten. For information and a registration form visit www.westmilfordanimalshelter.org or call 973-728-2859.