Taking steps to help dogs and cats in need with every step they take, pet parents and their pups in cities from coast to coast are preparing for Strut Your Mutt, a nationwide event unleashed each year by a non-profit organization that always goes the extra mile to help our pals with paws– Best Friends Animal Society.

The annual amble raises awareness of the approximately 5,500 dogs and cats who face their fate in the US shelter system each day while raising funds for both Best Friends Animal Society (a nationwide animal rescue and advocacy organization on a mission to make the country no-kill by 2025) and for participating animal shelters and rescue organizations that make up the All Best Friends Network.

Would you like to take part in a walk to help donations climb to this year’s national fundraising goal of $2,660,000? You can find a Strut your Mutt event in your area and sign up, start your own fundraising page or make a monetary contribution to an existing team by visiting StrutYourMutt.org!

Official Strut Your Mutt Spokesperson

Best-selling author (and proud pet parent to Maverick the rescue dog) Katherine Schwarzenegger is helping homeless dogs and cats across the country turn the page to a new chapter in their lives as this year’s official spokesperson for Best Friends Animal Society’s Strut Your Mutt events.

2019 Strut Your Mutt Events

Arizona

Phoenix
Where: Cesar Chavez Park
When: October 19
The city known as The Valley of the Sun will celebrate the dogs and cats who are the sunshine of our lives as they raise $80,000 for area rescues!

California

Los Angeles
Where: Exposition Park
When: October 26
Dog devotees and fans of felines in The City of Angeles will be in seventh heaven if they reach their lofty goal of $450,000!

San Francisco
Where: Little Marina Green
When: September 7

Strut Your Mutt will be a golden opportunity for animal lovers living in The Golden City to raise $140,000 to help homeless Fidos and felines in the San Francisco area!

Florida

Jacksonville
Where: Riverside Park
When: October 26
Fido- and feline-loving Floridians are focused on raising $80,000 for the paws cause!

Georgia

Atlanta
Where: Grant Park
When: October 5
Atlanta’s animal lovers will get fit alongside their four-legged friends as they attempt to raise $110,000!

Maryland

Where: Wheaton Regional Park
When: October 5
Doggedly determined to help dogs and cats in the D.C. metro area, participants and their Rovers will try to raise $100,000!

Minnesota

Minneapolis
Where: Wolfe Park
When: September 28
Minnesotans will make great strides toward a better tomorrow for homeless companion animals as they strive toward a $110,000 fundraising goal!

New York

New York City
Where: Hudson River Park Pier 84
When: October 5
Dog and cat lovers in The Big Apple are making big plans to help our furry friends in need as they work toward reaching a fundraising goal of $600,000!

Texas

Austin
Where: Walter E. Long Park
When: September 14
Animal-loving Austinites can celebrate the fact that the city is consistently ranked one of the country’s top dog-friendly spots as they stroll toward their goal of raising $175,000!

Houston
Where: Stude Park
When: September 28
It’s been said that everything is bigger in Texas, and that includes the fundraising goal for Houstonians, who are dreaming big by striving toward a $300,000 goal.

Utah

Kanab
Where: Best Friends Animal Sanctuary
When: September 21
Help homeless companion animals at the home of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary by working toward raising $60,000!

Salt Lake City
Where: Liberty Park
When: October 12
Known as “The Crossroads of the West,” Salt lake City’s citizens will help dogs and cats who find themselves at a crossroads in their lives as they walk toward a fundraising goal of $180,000!

Nationwide

Can’t find a Strut Your Mutt event in your area? You won’t be in the dog house with your barking buddy, because you and your pup can still participate in Strut Your Mutt Day! Taking place everywhere on October 26, you can lace up your sneakers and promenade with your pooch through your local park, take a hike around your neighborhood or simply take your canine on a constitutional around your own home. When registering to take part in the event, you can request your contribution to be donated to Best Friends or to your favorite local animal welfare group, and in the interim leading up to Strut Your Mutt Day you can raise funds to further aid your chosen organization.