Walk With Us, Wherever You Are

Volunteerism is the heart of the humane movement. Volunteering at your local shelter; picking up plastic and other waste that can be deadly to marine creatures on our beaches; writing letters to local, state, and federal lawmakers; and making the right food choices in the marketplace are just a few of the things that you can do to help animals.

Mike McFarland/The HSUS

Many humane organizations also host dog walks to raise awareness and funds to help pets. On Oct. 10, the National Mall will go to the dogs for our fourth annual Humane Society Walk for the Animals, which The HSUS co-hosts with the Washington Humane Society. If you’re in the D.C. area, I hope you can join us from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Constitution Gardens. But even if you live outside of the D.C. metro area, you can still join us in helping millions of homeless animals by signing up to be a virtual walker.

The Walk raises funds to end pet homelessness at both the local and national level, and now that animal lovers nationwide can participate, we have yet another opportunity to do more for dogs and cats. Last year, we raised more than $156,000 to support local and national programs such as pet adoption and spaying and neutering. You can help us build an even larger war chest this year in our effort to promote sterilization and to combat puppy mills—the two focus areas for this year’s walk.

Both local and virtual walkers can register online before Oct. 7 and then build a personal fundraising page in honor of a special pet or on behalf of an animal rescued by The HSUS or WHS (you can read stories and browse photos of animals who have been given a second chance at life). Registration is free for virtual walkers and, if you raise $50 or more, we’ll send you this year’s Walk T-shirt—so it’s just like you were there.

Near or far, I hope you’ll join us and walk for a special animal, or animals, in your life.