Sports

Stride for Strays Walkathon

Animal Coalition of Tampa (ACT) Spay/Neuter Clinic will host its 11th Annual Stride for Strays Walkathon to bring together the community to increase awareness and raise funds to help homeless animals. The 3-mile walk Oct. 23 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park in downtown Tampa is open to any animal lovers who want to raise money to end pet overpopulation in Tampa Bay while having a great time in the park. Leashed, well-behaved dogs are welcome to attend. The event will include activities, prizes, food,demonstrations, animal rescue groups and pet-friendly vendors. For more information or to register, visit: http://www.actampa.org/event/stride2011 or call the ACT Clinic at 813-250-3900.

In 2010, more than 19,000 companion animals were put down in Hillsborough County. One proven way to reduce this tragedy is to keep them from going into local shelters to begin with by providing low-cost spay and neuter services to people who cannot otherwise afford it. Other communities have significantly dropped their euthanasia rates with high-volume, low-cost spay/neuter programs.

ACT is doing just that in the Tampa Bay area. In the first five years of operation, it has sterilized more than 65,000 dogs, cats, rabbits (and three pigs). Since a lot of people cannot afford even ACT's low fees, many of its operations are subsidized by caring individuals and corporations.

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Last year, more than 600 dogs – along with their special people– walked in the Stride for Strays to raise more than $42,000. This allowed ACT to provide thousands of loca lfamilies with spaying and neutering services, shots and microchips for their cats and dogs to keep them safe and at home. Funds raised from this year’s event will allow ACT to continue these efforts to save lives.

Lead sponsors are Petco Foundation and Tampa Bay Kennel Club.

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