KANAB — Best Friends Animal Society and six Southern Utah animal rescue groups did not let the threat of heavy rains prevent them from gathering for a day of fun and fundraising to save the lives of shelter dogs and cats.
The Best Friends Kanab Strut Your Mutt was held at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab Saturday. The event included a fun run and walks followed by a doggy-themed festival. Activities for the participating pooches and their people included an agility course, “pawdicures,” smooch your pooch, putt with your mutt, canine caricatures, downward dog yoga, belly dancing, face-painting, and contests and more.
Kanab Mayor Robert Houston was on hand cut the ribbon, judge contests and present awards for top fundraisers in a variety of categories.
The goal this year for the Kanab event was to raise $60,000. More than $46,000 has been raised so far, and online fundraising continues through Oct. 11.
Participating groups in this year’s event were:
Because Animals Matter
Greyhound Gang
Healing HEART Sanctuary
Iron County Animal Shelter
Page Animal Adoption Agency
Providing Animals with Support (P.A.W.S.)
(See ed. note)
For many small animal welfare organizations, the proceeds from Best Friends Strut Your Mutt events are an important part of the groups’ annual operating funds. The donations will be used to fund adoption programs, spay/neuter services and other lifesaving programs, ultimately impacting the number of pets entering and leaving shelters.
“Strut Your Mutt” event at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Kanab, Utah, Sept. 27, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Best Friends Animal Society, St. George News
Started in Salt Lake City 19 years ago, Best Friends Animal Society’s Strut Your Mutt is a multimillion-dollar fundraiser benefiting hundreds of humane organizations with events across the country. This year, events were held in 12 cities. Strut Your Mutt allows people to raise money for participating local rescue groups and come together with fellow animal lovers and multiple rescue groups/shelters to celebrate.
The Best Friends Strut Your Mutt Kanab local sponsors were The Canyons Collection, ERA Realty and Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance. National sponsors are MINI and Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance.
Ed. note.: Participant list updated per additional communication from Best Friends.
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"Strut Your Mutt" event at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Kanab, Utah, Sept. 27, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Best Friends Animal Society, St. George News
"Strut Your Mutt" event at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Kanab, Utah, Sept. 27, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Best Friends Animal Society, St. George News
"Strut Your Mutt" event at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Kanab, Utah, Sept. 27, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Best Friends Animal Society, St. George News
"Strut Your Mutt" event at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Kanab, Utah, Sept. 27, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Best Friends Animal Society, St. George News
"Strut Your Mutt" event at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Kanab, Utah, Sept. 27, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Best Friends Animal Society, St. George News
"Strut Your Mutt" event at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Kanab, Utah, Sept. 27, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Best Friends Animal Society, St. George News
"Strut Your Mutt" event at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Kanab, Utah, Sept. 27, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Best Friends Animal Society, St. George News
"Strut Your Mutt" event at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Kanab, Utah, Sept. 27, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Best Friends Animal Society, St. George News
"Strut Your Mutt" event at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Kanab, Utah, Sept. 27, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Best Friends Animal Society, St. George News
"Strut Your Mutt" event at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Kanab, Utah, Sept. 27, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Best Friends Animal Society, St. George News
"Strut Your Mutt" event at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Kanab, Utah, Sept. 27, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Best Friends Animal Society, St. George News
"Strut Your Mutt" event at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Kanab, Utah, Sept. 27, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Best Friends Animal Society, St. George News
"Strut Your Mutt" event at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Kanab, Utah, Sept. 27, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Best Friends Animal Society, St. George News
"Strut Your Mutt" event at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Kanab, Utah, Sept. 27, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Best Friends Animal Society, St. George News
"Strut Your Mutt" event at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Kanab, Utah, Sept. 27, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Best Friends Animal Society, St. George News
"Strut Your Mutt" event at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Kanab, Utah, Sept. 27, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Best Friends Animal Society, St. George News
"Strut Your Mutt" event at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Kanab, Utah, Sept. 27, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Best Friends Animal Society, St. George News
"Strut Your Mutt" event at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Kanab, Utah, Sept. 27, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Best Friends Animal Society, St. George News
"Strut Your Mutt" event at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Kanab, Utah, Sept. 27, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Best Friends Animal Society, St. George News
"Strut Your Mutt" event at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Kanab, Utah, Sept. 27, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Best Friends Animal Society, St. George News
"Strut Your Mutt" event at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Kanab, Utah, Sept. 27, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Best Friends Animal Society, St. George News
Resources
Additional information about Strut Your Mutt can be found here.
You know I’m all for saving animals and what not, but because of these animal groups I can’t get anyone to come out and round up these feral cats around my property. The city told me they won’t deal with them anymore, so it’s all on me to find a way to get rid of them. They’re just so destructive. How do y’all deal with this?…
Joyce Kuzmanic September 28, 2014 at 10:53 amLog in to Reply
A fabulous time was had by all – including Greyhound Gang – also a Best Friends Network Partner and participating group. More information about greyhounds at http://www.greyhoundgang.org. Thank you to all the participants and donors – you helped Greyhound Gang reach their $1000 donation goal!
You know I’m all for saving animals and what not, but because of these animal groups I can’t get anyone to come out and round up these feral cats around my property. The city told me they won’t deal with them anymore, so it’s all on me to find a way to get rid of them. They’re just so destructive. How do y’all deal with this?…
Here’s one method, Bobber – a 2012 report we published:
http://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2012/05/07/seeing-stray-cats-best-friends-offers-free-spayneuter-for-community-cats/#.VCg8nyldWwk
Joyce
EIC
Thanks Joyce. Will def consider that as an option.
Don’t touch them or harm them in any way or the wrath of Dixie Dog & Cat Lovers United will rain upon you.
Somehow you missed Providing Animals With Support as one of the participants.
A fabulous time was had by all – including Greyhound Gang – also a Best Friends Network Partner and participating group. More information about greyhounds at http://www.greyhoundgang.org. Thank you to all the participants and donors – you helped Greyhound Gang reach their $1000 donation goal!