Sign Up For A Dog Walk
by Jeff Schmerker, 1/30/08
Courtesy of The Mountaineer Publishing Company

Start getting Fido in shape now so he’ll be ready for the annual Downtown Dog Walk.

The third-annual Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation event will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 9.

The fun walk begins in front of the courthouse — rain or shine. Entry is $ 15 (per human, not canine), and those who collect pledges of at least an additional $ 15 receive a T-shirt designed by Jennifer Allen as well as a special doggy bandanna and a goodie bag.

Last year, the event raised around $ 27,000 for Sarge’s and had more than 175 participants.

The money is used for dog vaccinations and medical care for foster dogs, though the bulk is being saved for a no-kill animal shelter.

Sarge’s has worked over the past year to open a no-kill shelter; one proposal now has the group building the center on its own if a local government — like the county — will donate a suitable tract of land. The current county shelter, officials have said, is obsolete and cramped.

Sarge’s Vice President Rosa Allomong said the new facility would be built in stages; the first stage would include about 4,000 square feet and cost upwards of $ 500,000.

The shelters have to built to state specs to ensure safety and a sterile environment. It would house both cats and dogs.

“We will take all the dogs we possibly can out of the county facility,” Allomong said. “That will decrease their workload a lot and give them more time to do what they are supposed to do.”

So far, the group has raised about $ 350,000. Besides money to build the facility, it also needs money to fund operational expenses.


Registration the day of the event begins at 9:15 a.m. The walk route will go from the courthouse down Depot Street to Montgomery, up Church Street to Main and back to the courthouse. Police will be there to direct traffic.

Kids under 12 are free but must be accompanied by an adult.

After the walk comes the contests — best kisser, best tail wagger, best dressed and most talented.

Pre-registration will also be held noon to 6 p.m. August 7-8, at WNC Visitors Center.

Registration forms have mini-pledge sheets printed on them. The sheet asks for a sponsor’s name and pledge amount.

“This is a vital part of the fundraising for this event to get people to do this,” said Sarge volunteer Cynthia Morris. “There will be a prize for the most money collected this way.”

Checks may be made out to SARF. Send them to: SARF Downtown Dog Walk, P.O. Box 854, Waynesville. NC, 28786.

The group is also looking for sponsors whose names will be printed on the back of the T-shirts, and for merchants to donate gifts.

It’s possible to make a tax deductible donation to the group without participating.

For more information, call 508-3300 or go to www.sargeandfriends.org.

Allomong said the key to solving most pet issues is spaying and neutering — something which can be done cheaply through the help of groups like Haywood Animal Welfare Association. “Spay and neutering is the key,” she said. “If people can do that it will solve a lot of problems.”