Walk for the Animals is a walk in the park
Walk for the Animal participants first met at a table in front of the Oak Bluffs Elementary School
Walk for the Animal participants first met at a table in front of the Oak Bluffs Elementary School
Lisa Hayes and Nellie, a 1 1/2 year old golden retriever.
Lisa Hayes and Nellie, a 1 1/2 year old golden retriever.
Dogs and their owners walked through Tradewinds Field Preserve.
Dogs and their owners walked through Tradewinds Field Preserve.
Not everyone walking on the conservation property were participants in the Animal Shelter fundraiser. Stephen and Susan Pielech of South Dartmouth were here this weekend for some time with their pets on the Vineyard. They were not participants, but they helped set the tone for the morning gathering.
Not everyone walking on the conservation property were participants in the Animal Shelter fundraiser. Stephen and Susan Pielech of South Dartmouth were here this weekend for some time with their pets on the Vineyard. They were not participants, but they helped set the tone for the morning gathering.
The walkers included cat lovers, Left to right: Sandy and Wes Mott of Oak Bluffs and Mardi Moran of Oak Bluffs and Cambridge love cats. They came to support the shelter and take a walk.,
The walkers included cat lovers, Left to right: Sandy and Wes Mott of Oak Bluffs and Mardi Moran of Oak Bluffs and Cambridge love cats. They came to support the shelter and take a walk.,
Maria Doubleday brought her dog named "Ridiculous" to participate. She said the seven year old dog was rescued.
Maria Doubleday brought her dog named "Ridiculous" to participate. She said the seven year old dog was rescued.
On Saturday, dog and cat lovers showed up to participate in the annual Animal Shelter of Martha's Vineyard Columbus Day weekend fundraiser Walk for the Animals. All that was required was an interest in the shelter and taking an opportunity to walk.
Duncan Ross, chairman of the nonprofit organization, said that the morning walk was put together to raise awareness among pet owners about the role of the shelter and also to meet face to face and raise some money. Participants first met at the Oak Bluffs elementary school entrance. A table was set up to give pet owners some options. There were bandana for the dogs along with a waste bag container. Many of the walkers joined with others and strolled through Tradewinds Field Preserve, a 71 acre property owned by the Martha's Vineyard Land Bank.
Last year the event attracted over 50 dogs and twice as many walkers. It raised $2,500. Mr. Ross said that for some reason attendance is down this year, but "we'd love to make that much money."
Lisa Hayes, the shelter manager, said that the shelter has two big fundraising events during the year. There is a late-afternoon garden party in July and this Saturday event. The shelter volunteers and staff also participate in a big way in the Fourth of July parade.
"This is a way to say thank you to people," Mrs. Hayes said. In many ways most of those who come to the shelter are confronted with some kind of issue concerning their pet. This event was about connecting with animal lovers.
Sandy Mott of Oak Bluffs, came with her husband Wes and a friend Mardi Moran of Oak Bluffs and Cambridge. Mr. Mott wore a purple T-shirt that read in bright yellow letters on the front: Real Men Like Cats. Ms. Mott said: "We came because, we love animals and want to support the shelter."
Formerly affiliated with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, this organization stepped out on its own in 2009. It is a nonprofit and contributions are welcome: Contributions can be sent to the Animal Shelter of Martha's Vineyard, at P.O. Box 1829, Edgartown, MA 02539.