The 10th annual Dr. Neil Howard Dog Jog is a go.
With all the restrictions in mind, the Estevan Humane Society opted for the virtual format for their big annual fundraiser, but they are sure it will be as entertaining as it's always been.
"That's our first attempt (at a virtual dog jog), last year we just cancelled. So this year, we're giving it a go," said shelter manager Michaela Pho.
Participating dog lovers and shelter supporters will have until June 4 to fill and submit pledge sheets, which can be picked up and dropped off at the humane society, as well as to collect pledges. From June 4-6, jog participants are invited to come out to the Woodlawn Regional Park’s free access area to go through a designated route for fun, but also for a chance to win a great prize.
"On June 4, we'll have our dog jog route that we would typically have set up for the day of the event, we'll have it set up down at Woodlawn by the dog park. It'll be set up until June 6, which is the technical date for the event. So people can go down at their own leisure and take a walk on the trail there,” Pho said.
“Along the way, we have a little trick stops, so it's a little bit more interactive for people. They can try and trick out with their dog. Whoever does the most tricks and is the most successful will be entered to win a separate prize," Pho said.
The winner will receive a summer fun trick dog workshop, courtesy of All Creatures Training and Boarding. Those who want to be entered for the special prize will need to either post or email pictures and videos of their pets doing the tricks.
"At the event, each stop will have an info sheet on what the trick is that needs to be performed, and then where to send everything to get entered for the prize," Pho explained.
Those who collect the most pledges to support the shelter will see some great surprises coming their way as well. The shelter has teamed up with local businesses and came up with a list of prizes for pledge collectors of different ages.
"We have four different age categories. Usually, we only have three, but this year, we lucked out and got the fourth," Pho said.
Pledge collectors ages six and under can win an outdoor movie projector and screen, donated by the Howard family. Ages seven to 11 is a second age category and the winner will take home a Lenovo tablet donated by DMS. The third age category is 12-15. The prize in this category is a Bluetooth speaker and headphones from Brandsource, along with Estevan Bruins merchandise.
The final new category is for anyone 16 and up. They can be entered to win a Google kit that comes with a nest hub and thermostat, supplied by Signal Direct.
"Whoever collects the most pledges in each category is the winner of each of these categories," Pho said.
The pledge forms are currently available at estevanhumanesociety.ca.
Pho said that with the new format they don't really know what to expect from the event, but hope that the community will find it entertaining and will step forward to support the no-kill shelter.
"The support so far with the other events that we've had has been on par and above," Pho said.
Money raised will help with upkeep of the shelter and its inhabitants.
"Our biggest expense here is medical costs. Unexpected and routine. And then animal care supplies like food and treats and stuff like that, and medications, unexpected medical trips. That's the main thing," Pho said.
The humane society is currently at capacity for cats with many newborn kittens being brought in. So they accept cats only on an emergency basis. They also have several dogs available for adoption.
