The 20th Annual 3K Pet Walk is a fun, 1.8 mile walk through the streets and along the waterfront in downtown St. Petersburg to benefit the SPCA Tampa Bay. Come out and walk for the cause to end animal cruelty and help raise money to find new loving homes for abused and unwanted animals in our community.  The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 16, 2010.

This event holds a special place in my heart.  My husband and I adopted a miniature Dachshund with a giant personality from SPCA Tampa Bay several years ago.  Each year since our little “Moby” entered our lives, we attend the Pet Walk, with him in tow, to make a donation for the gift of love that keeps on giving!  Moby has brought joy (and an abundance of laughs) into our life.  We are so grateful to have him and he seems grateful to have a loving home.  Our donation also honors the good work that SPCA Tampa Bay continues to do throughout Pinellas County.

If an animal friend has brought love and joy into your life, plan to attend!

Owning or bringing a pet is not required, you can walk in honor or in memory of a beloved pet! You’ll enjoy a free pancake breakfast compliments of IHOP, our popular Iams® Best Dressed Pet Competition, Pet/Owner Look-A-Like Contest, SPCA Adoptable Pet Parade, Dog Agility, Flyball, K-9 Demos, ParkShore Grill / 400 Beach Seafood & Tap House Food Court, Doggie Spa, Top Walker & Top Team Prizes, Vendor Shopping, Clowns, Face Painters and lots more plus music from the main stage.

Don’t miss out on this exciting event for a great cause. Register today and walk with thousands of other animal lovers who believe all pets deserve to be loved!

The SPCA Tampa Bay is a local, grassroots animal charity; they do not receive federal or state funding or any funding from national animal organizations like the ASPCA.

All proceeds from this 3K Pet Walk will help the SPCA Tampa Bay continue to increase adoptions, provide 24-hour emergency medical care for sick and injured strays, investigate animal cruelty cases, educate the public on the humane care of pets, and much more. This event is one of the largest and longest running pet walks in Florida and I hope to see you there!  Event details follow.

Prrrr-fectly entertaining, tail-wagging family fun . . . in Paradise Found!

Volunteers needed!

To register for the event or for more information about volunteering, visit SPCA Tampa Bay online at http://www.spcafl.org/

Be sure to attend the 3K Pet Walk Kick-Off Happy Hour Social – Pets are welcome, too!

WHEN:   Thursday, August 26th & Thursday, Sept. 23rd from 5pm - 7pm

WHERE: 400 Beach Seafood & Tap House on the corner of Beach Drive & 5th Avenue in downtown St. Pete (across from the Vinoy).

WHY:    Build excitement for the 3K Pet Walk and rally our teams to reach their fundraising goals. All 3K Pet Walk proceeds directly benefit the homeless, abused and neglected animals at SPCA Tampa Bay.

COST:   Free! Includes complimentary hors d’oeuvres! How can you beat that!

Grab your friends, come out, get motivated, network with fellow walk participants, recruit new team members and learn how to raise more money for the SPCA Tampa Bay’s 3K Pet Walk. This event is indoors and outdoors, so pets are welcome too!  Don’t miss a great time for a great cause!

For more information about the 3K Pet Walk or the Kick-Off Happy Hour Social, contact Janet@SPCATampaBay.org.

3K PET WALK DAY OF EVENT CONTESTS & PRIZES:

Iams® Best Dressed Pet Competition – Dress up your pet for one of the hottest activities at the walk! NO PRE-REGISTRATION – Registration available on morning of the walk itself. Contest is limited to the first 60 contestants that sign up. $10 contest registration fee (this fee is in addition to the $10 registration fee to participate in the actual 3K Pet Walk).  Great prize baskets to 1^st, 2^nd & 3^rd places!

Pet/Owner Look-A-Like Contest – This is an exciting contest. NO PRE-REGISTRATION – Registration available on morning of the walk itself. Contest limited to the first 60 contestants that sign up. $10 contest registration fee (this fee is in addition to the $10 registration fee to participate in the actual 3K Pet Walk). prize basket to the #1 best Pet/Owner Look-A-Like duo!

Become a Facebook fan of SPCA Tampa Bay – join online contests to win some fabulous prizes! Once you become a fan of SPCA Tampa Bay on Facebook you will receive weekly updates and blogs on how to share the 3K Pet Walk with your friends and family and raise more money for the animals!  There are special online applications to help with your fundraising goal. You will have a chance to win additional prizes in monthly online contests that run through October.

REGISTRATION OVERVIEW:

Online registration at www.3KPetWalk.org is encouraged as it conserves resources and allows more time and funds to be dedicated to SPCA Tampa Bay’s core mission. All ages are welcome to participate whether you start a team, join any team or are an individual walker. The registration fee is $10. Once you register online as an individual walker or as a team member, you can create your own personal web page. You can be an advocate by writing your personal story — why your pet means something to you, why this cause is close to your heart, and then let all your friends, family and coworkers know that you have this web page with your personal story and ask them for donations to sponsor you in the walk. The Registration Form is also downloadable from this website (please make copies for additional team members if you are forming a team). You will register in one of the following ways:

• Friends and Family Team – form a pack for a howlin’ good time! Teams consist of two or more walkers who fund raise together. Forming a team is the fastest way to raise money-and it’s the most fun! If you are a group of friends or a family with children you would register this way.
• Corporate Team – If you work at a corporation, then this is the place for you! Round up your co-workers, designate a team captain and create a Corporate Team! You will compete against other local companies for the top bragging rights and a chance to win the Top Corporate Team Prize! Friends and family of corporate team members can join a corporate team.
• Vet Office Team – If you work at a Vet office then step up to the challenge and compete against other local vets for a chance to win the Top Vet Office Team Prize! Friends and family of Vet Office team members can join a Vet Office team.
• Individual Walker - participating as an individual is easy. Simply register today and let your friends and family know that they can sponsor you and your pet by making a donation in person or online.
• Virtual Walker – Can’t make it to the event? You can still raise money as an individual or as part of a team and you are still eligible for prizes based on fundraising tiers. Register today-the animals are counting on you!

Walker and all Team category registration information is downloadable from SPCA Tampa Bay’s website or by emailing Janet@SPCATampaBay.org.

CREDITS:  Photos and event logo courtesy of SPCA Tampa Bay.