HURRICANE — Featuring a benefit walk, agility course and the inaugural “Kids and Canine! Challenge,” the annual “Dog Day Spectacular” hosted by Because Animals Matter will take place Sept. 10 at the Hurricane Community Center, 63 S. 100 West in Hurricane.
Events start at 8:30 a.m. with a benefit walk for the animals. Robin Kirker, longtime animal rights activist and owner of Tails Off Trails, will lead the walk. Kirker’s experience hiking with animals promises a lively and enjoyable walk.
A $20 entry donation includes a souvenir T-shirt. Registration for the walk starts at 8 a.m., but participants can preregister at the Because Animals Matter website to guarantee your shirt size.
The main events of the Dog Day Spectacular run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will include “FUNgility” demonstrations with opportunities to have you and your dog try out the FUNgility course, an “UPDog Challenge” involving disc dogs and agility and some junior handlers dancing with their dogs in freestyle demonstrations.
Kids from 8 to 11 years old will also want to participate in the first “Kids and Canines! Challenge” – if they have their family dog wrapped around their finger. Prizes will be awarded in categories such as Happiest Tail, Fastest Sit, Longest Sit-Stay and more. Other kids activities will include a bounce house and face painting.
And it wouldn’t be a “dog-centric” event without the opportunity to find your own furry family member. Adoptable animals from Because Animals Matter and other area rescues and shelters will be on hand looking for families to go home with.
There will also be a charity “Poker Walk” this year, with proceeds going to Because Animals Matter programs. The grand prize for the Poker Walk is a two-night stay and two complimentary buffets at the Eureka Casino Resort in Mesquite, Nevada. The 2016-17 Pets Make a Difference Because Animals Matter fundraiser calendar will debut at the event as well.
A variety of local vendors featuring items such as children’s clothing, Tupperware and pet supplies will be on site for the duration of the Dog Day Spectacular.
Bring your well-behaved, leashed dogs to enjoy the day’s festivities, mingle with other animal advocates and maybe find a new activity you would like to try out with your dog. Because Animals Matter will be on hand selling hamburgers and hotdogs to the hungry crowd.
A full schedule of events can be found online.
Because Animals Matter is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. According to a press release from Because Animals Matter, funds raised at the Dog Day Spectacular support the organization’s community programs, including medical care for animals in their foster care program, Meika’s Memorial Medical Fund, low cost spay/neuter programs, the Hurricane Dog Park and other community service projects such as purchasing pet oxygen masks for the local fire department and bullet proof vests for local police K9s.
Event details
- What: Dog Day Spectacular
- When: Saturday, Sept. 10, at 8 a.m.
- Where: Hurricane Community Center, 63 S. 100 West, Hurricane
- Cost: Free to attend, vendor costs vary; registration for the dog walk is $20, register here
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Participants in the 2015 benefit Walk for the Animals, Hurricane, Utah, Sept. 12, 2016 | Photo courtesy of Because Animals Matter, St. George News Dog Spectacular participants trying out the FUNgility course,Hurricane, Utah, Sept. 12, 2016 | Photo courtesy of Because Animals Matter, St. George News Participants in the 2015 Dog Day Spectacular, Hurricane, Utah, Sept. 12, 2016 | Photo courtesy of Because Animals Matter, St. George News Participants in the 2015 Dog Day Spectacular, Hurricane, Utah, Sept. 12, 2016 | Photo courtesy of Because Animals Matter, St. George News Adoptable animal looking for a family to go home with, Hurricane, Utah, Sept. 12, 2016 | Photo courtesy of Because Animals Matter, St. George News
Participants in the 2015 Dog Day Spectacular, Hurricane, Utah, Sept. 12, 2016 | Photo courtesy of Because Animals Matter, St. George News Participants in the 2015 Dog Day Spectacular, Hurricane, Utah, Sept. 12, 2016 | Photo courtesy of Because Animals Matter, St. George News
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Twitter: @STGnews
Thank you for the advance publicity on this very worthwhile event, St George News!
Yes this is a great event. and I would like to thank all those involved for making this possible. we should be so blessed to have these people in our community. Praise the Lord
we should be so blessed to have psych meds for “….”, if only he would take them 🙁
Don’t mind Bob he’s upset because his owner won’t take him there so he can play with the other dogs