Development director Deborah Kraus said a doggie kissing booth and a cat cove are among the newest activities offered at this year's Pet Walk Festival to benefit the Hinsdale Humane Society. (Jim Slonoff photo)
How does the pet walk benefit the humane society?
A decades-old Hinsdale tradition continues Saturday, June 25, as the Hinsdale Humane Society presents its annual Pet Walk Festival.
Deborah Kraus, development director, said the event will give animal allies of all ages the chance to support the shelter while learning about the many services offered to humans, canines and felines.
The Pet Walk Festival will be held at the Humane Society, 21 Salt Creek Lane, Hinsdale (see Page 24 for details). Home to the humane society since 2018, the organization's headquarters in the former Robert Crown Center offers plenty of room not only to shelter dogs and cats in need of homes, but also to treat and train animals.
The event features a one-mile walk through the medical campus that surrounds the humane society building.
"We encourage people to bring their well-behaved animals on the walk," Kraus said.
While most of those animals will be dogs, Kraus said walkers have been known to bring their cats in strollers. A scavenger hunt will keep the youngest walkers engaged as they make their way along the route.
Back at the shelter, visitors will find activities to enjoy both on their own and with their pets. Each entrance fee includes tickets that can be used to play games, take part in activities or take a chance at raffle prizes. There will be a pie-eating contest for dogs, a bounce house for children, and an old-fashioned cake walk for all to enjoy. There's even a doggie kissing booth.
"You can pay for doggie kisses if you're so inclined," Kraus said.
The Kids Dash will challenge children to test their speed, and vendors will be on hand selling all manner of products related to the care of pets, as well as food and drink for human consumption.
Attendees can pick up pet essentials such as carriers, kennels, beds and toys at a yard sale at the event.
New to the event this year, the Cat Cove gives folks a chance to spend time with the shelter's feline friends.
"It's similar to our cat cafes," Kraus said, offering supervised time to visit with cats that are waiting to find their forever homes.
Also new this year is an online auction, giving those who can't attend in person a chance to support the event.
Money raised at the Pet Walk will help cover expenses of caring for shelter animals, as well as the many programs offered at the Hinsdale Humane Society, including obedience training, medical care and pet therapy.
Shelter animals will be available for adoption the day of the event, Kraus said. June is adopt-a-cat month, with $25 adoption fees for all cats 1 year and older.
"We adopt out over 1,000 animals a year," said Kraus, who took in a shelter cat of her own four years ago. She said it is the shelter's goal to find a forever home for every animal that enters its doors.
- by Sandy Illian Bosch
