JAMESTOWN – Team and individual registrations are open for the Chautauqua County Humane Society’s 15th annual Walk 4 Paws. The walk is Saturday, Oct. 5 at Chautauqua Institution.

Director of Community Relations Brian Papalia said, “This is a fun, family friendly walk where participants are encouraged to bring along their four legged family members. The walk is the largest fundraiser of the year for the animals at CCHS and we need every foot and paw we can get walking!”

Participants are encouraged to register and begin fundraising now to help the animals and earn some fantastic prizes for themselves. Papalia said, “The walk kicks off the Halloween Season so we encourage participants and their animals to come in costume. There will be a trophy for best pet costume as well as some other fun treats and prizes!”

This year the walk is all about community. “We will have folks from the Children’s Safety Village, Roger Tory Peterson Institute, The Haunting at the Mall and Country Canines with some fun activities prior to the start of the walk,” Papalia said. “Full Moon Rising and Wag Supply Co. will also be on hand with treats for participating dogs. We are really grateful to have these organizations in our community taking part and are excited that we can work together to create a fun event for participants.

Also this year if you do not have a dog of your own, but would like to have one to accompany you to the Walk 4 Paws, you will have the opportunity to take a dog through the Expawdition program at CCHS. “This is an animal lovers dream to help the animals by fundraising and then having the chance to take a dog out of the shelter to go enjoy the walk with them,” he said. “We do ask folks looking at this opportunity to come do a quick orientation prior to the day of the walk.”

Sponsors for the 2019 Walk 4 Paws include presenting sponsors: Happy Hounds Hotel and Day Spa, Petco, The Media One Radio Group as well as Chautauqua Chemicals Company, Blackstone Advanced Technologies, Truck Lite, UBS, Lockwood Agency, Fessenden, Laumer & DeAngelo, The Shults Auto Group and Greater Chautauqua Federal Credit Union.

The walk features quick online registration and online fundraising tools for teams and individuals at www.spcapets.com. Registration forms and collection envelopes are also available for pick up at the 2825 Strunk Road adoption center in Jamestown.

The mission of the Chautauqua County Humane Society is to improve and save lives through compassionate care, advocacy for animals, and commitment to the community.