JAMESTOWN – An annual event to raise money for the Chautauqua County Humane Society will take place this weekend at the Chautauqua Institution.
Brian Papalia, the Director of Community Relations for the Chautauqua County Humane Society, says the Walk 4 Paws will take place Saturday, October 5 at 9 a.m.
Papalia says the mile and a half walk around the institution is a celebration of fundraising efforts that have been underway for the last several months.
“People are out there forming teams or working as individuals to raise money for the animals,” said Papalia. “They come and bring it. If they raise more than $100, they get a t-shirt. If they raise higher than that, there are all sorts of prizes.”
Papalia says no two days at the Humane Society are alike, but, the team has the same mission: to make sure animals have a good life and eventually find a forever home.
“Fourteen hundred animals, on average, find their way home and there are many more out there in the community that do need homes,” said Papalia. “We work our best to get them all in so they are taken care of and placed.”
He said that anyone who sees a stray animal should call the shelter to get the process started to bring them in.
“Whether you are keeping the lights on or taking care of their medical care, there is a lot of expense that comes with that,” explained Papalia. “About one third of our budget comes from these special events, so we are very dependent, the animals are very dependent, on the people out there fundraising and helping them out.”
Papalia says the walk is pet friendly. In the past people have brought turtles, rabbits and even horses.
He said even those who have not fundraised yet are still invited to attend. They would just have to pay a $25 donation to the center.
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