OCEAN CITY — Are you ready to walk the walk and show your support for the homeless dogs and cats in our community? If so, then join the Worcester County Humane Society for a weekend of fundraising fun that includes the 19th Annual Boardwalkin’ for Pets on Saturday, April 21.
Adults 21 and older are invited to a dinner and silent auction on Friday, April 20 from 4-8 p.m. at Seacrets. Advance tickets will be available for purchase online (www.worcestercountyhumanesociety.org/boardwalkin-for-pets) or at the shelter and will cost $30 in advance and $35 at the door. There will be heavy hors d’oeuvres and Lauren Glick will be performing. There will be some fabulous auction items to bid on ranging from $10 to $800.
On Saturday, April 21 from 9 a.m.-noon, grab your best friend and head to the Inlet for the 19th Annual Boardwalkin’ for Pets. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. with the walk starting at 9 a.m. Raise money for the walk and receive prizes. This is the perfect opportunity to create a team. There is a $25 minimum for individuals and for teams a $25 per team per member minimum. To make it easier for individuals and teams to reach out for donations via email and social media, participants can sign up at https://www.crowdrise.com/19thAnnualBoardwalkinforPets. Pledge/registration sheets can also be printed from the shelter’s website www.worcestercountyhumanesociety.org. Prizes will be awarded to the highest pledge earners, top individual and team. Enter contests and win prizes for largest dog, smallest dog, best dressed dog and best dog trick. There will be refreshments provided by Harrison’s Harbor Watch Restaurant and Layton’s Family Restaurant 16th Street.
For the out-of-town walkers, dog friendly hotels are available. Contact La Quinta Inn & Suites, Comfort Inn & Suites, Clarion and Fenwick Inn for availability.
Do you not have a dog to walk? “Adopt” a shelter dog for the event. Arrangements must be made in advance by calling the shelter at 410-213-0146. Please note there are a limited number of dogs that will be available from the shelter for the walk.
The feline friends have not been forgotten about. Bring a photo of your cat to the walk with your contact information written on the back. A special prize basket will be awarded to the “cutest cat.” Photos will not be returned and become property of the humane society.
“Boardwalkin’ for Pets is our biggest fundraiser of the year,” said Boardwalkin’ for Pets Chair Heather Bahrami. “It’s such a feel-good, family friendly event that brings animal lovers from near and far together to raise funds for the many cats and dogs who find their way to our no kill shelter.”
This event is rain or shine. Should you choose not to walk due to inclement weather, please mail your pledge sheet and donations to Worcester County Humane Society, P.O. Box 48, Berlin, Md. 21811. Checks should be made payable to Worcester County Humane Society.
In conjunction with Boardwalkin’ for Pets, Backshore Brewing Company (10th Street on the boards) will be holding a Puppy Party all day. The deck will be transformed into a playpen, and the famous VW bus will be turned into a puppy photo booth. There will be special Backshore Brewing Company logo collars, leashes and water bowls as well as homemade doggie treats for sale. Backshore Brewing Co. will have boxes out to collect donations of supplies for Worcester County Humane Society during the Puppy Party. The shelter’s supply list can be found on the WCHS website (www.worcestercountyhumanesociety.org)
The Worcester County Humane Society, located on 12330 Eagles Nest Road off Route 611, is a private, nonprofit, no-kill animal shelter and operates mainly on donations.
All money raised from the weekend events is used to care for the many dogs and cats that call the shelter home. In addition to providing everyday care, the animals also receive veterinary care, which can be quite expensive. The animals receive loving care until they are adopted into suitable homes.