Strut Your Mutt: Pet Shelter Fundraiser Returns To Hell's Kitchen

HELL'S KITCHEN, NY — A fundraising event that drew thousands of people to Hell's Kitchen last year will return to the venue on Saturday, Oct. 5, according to the fundraiser's organizers.

The Best Friends Animal Society, an animal welfare group that runs the country's largest no-kill animal sanctuary, will hold its annual "Strur your Mutt" event in Hudson River Park’s Pier 84. Organizers of the charity dog walk hope to raise $600,000 after nearly hitting the mark in 2018 and have raised more than $530,000 as of this writing.

In addition to the dog walk, the event will feature activities such as "doggie yoga and reiki," paw painting, a "Smooch Your Pooch" photo booth, live music, and a Six Point Brewery beer garden with “Pup Trivia.”

Last year about 2,000 dog walkers participated in the event. Participants can choose to raise money for Best Friends Animal Society or one of 35 local organizations that partner with the group. Best Friends is organizing "Strut your Mutt" events in 13 different cities this year as well as "National Strut Your Mutt Day" on Oct. 26. In 2018, the group raised a total of $2.3 million during the fundraiser.

The ultimate goal of the Best Friends Animal Society is to make every shelter in the United States no-kill by the year 2025, according to the group's website.

"Best Friends Strut Your Mutt is one of those times that local people come together to help animals in their community and across the country. Together we can Save Them All and make the country no-kill by 2025," Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends Animal Society, said in a statement.