On Sunday, July 12th, the Pet Emergency Fund (PEF) will host its 3rd annual “Run for Rover” race, sponsored by Hill’s Pet Nutrition and the Niagara Frontier Veterinary Society. Organizers of this upcoming USA Track & Field-certified race and family-friendly event seek to raise $10,000. The funds will benefit the PEF, which helps pet owners who are unable to pay for medical treatments for their loved canine and feline companions.
The charitable race will consist of a 5K race for runners, a 100-yard dash for kids and a one-mile walk for pets and their owners at LaSalle Pavilion. “Run for Rover” will offer other fun activities and pet-friendly treats, including a pet costume contest, a post-race lunch, pet psychic Renee Karen, complimentary dog wash, animal celebrities, non-alcoholic dog beer, canine ice cream, live music, police service dogs and a professional pooper scooper.
Artists of all ages will be given an opportunity to draw pet portraits, which will be collected by Faces of Buffalo to create a mosaic print. The sale of the art prints will benefit the PEF.
Veterinarian and author Pete Freyburger will be available to sign copies of his recently published book, Vetting.
The PEF, a charity established by the Niagara Frontier Veterinary Society in 1999, strives to help families who cannot afford medical care for their pets when an emergency occurs. Out-of-pocket expenses such as drugs, surgical supplies, oxygen, food and lab work are costly, and many families are unable to pay for pet emergency care during these difficult economic times. The PEF helps defray those costs.
The fund has helped veterinarians in Erie and Niagara counties provide care for over 200 animals, and has distributed over $250,000 to pet owners to enable emergency care for their beloved animal companions.
The 5K race starts off at 10 AM with registration at 8:30 AM. The pet walk will begin at 11 AM. At 11:30 AM, local pet-lover and AM Buffalo host Linda Pellegrino will judge the pet costume contest.
For more information on “Run for Rover” or the Pet Emergency Fund, please visit www.petemergencyfund.org.