HURRICANE HARVEY RESCUES RUN FOR HOUSTON ORPHAN PETS!
This Sunday, Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Puppy Love 5K Welcomes Adopted Harvey Rescues Supporting Texan Dogs and Cats. 
(This Sunday, Harvey Rescue Murphy will move his paws for a great cause!)
Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. (March 13, 2018) – This weekend, the 9th Annual Puppy Love 5K presented by Blue Buffalo returns to the EmBARKadero to help raise funds for orphan pets, but this time, some very special runners will move their paws for a cause close to their hearts. Three adopted Hurricane Harvey rescues, Maverick, Murphy, and Shadow, will join the race in hopes of bringing more Houston-based orphans to Helen Woodward Animal Center. The media is invited to meet these special pups and cheer them on as they hit the course Sunday March 18th at 7:30am to help their Texas friends.
Helen Woodward Animal Center’s annual events raise funds to help support rescue work, as well as twelve additional animal-focused programs that make the Center so unique. Last year, many of the funds raised went towards the rescue of Hurricane Harvey pets stranded and facing devastating consequences when shelters and foster homes were destroyed in the storm’s wake. Sixty-four of these orphan dogs and cats were flown to the Center in Rancho Santa Fe in September 2017 to start their second chance at life, and found their happily-ever-afters with forever families.
Three of these rescued pups, Maverick, Murphy, and Shadow, are excited to join their families at this weekend’s 5K, dedicating their runs to helping more Houston orphan pets who have few places to go with shelters and foster homes still a long way from being fully-operational. Earlier this month, a flight piloted by Cloud 9 Rescue Flights delivered 38 of these puppies to Helen Woodward Animal Center and plans for similar rescues are in the works.
“We are always happy to see our Center alum return for a visit,” stated Helen Woodward Animal Center VP of Development Renee Resko, “but we are even more moved when we see how deeply these pets have touched their families. When they come to one of our events to celebrate and pay back all the love they’re receiving from their rescue pets, we know our work is changing the lives of people and pets alike.”
Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Puppy Love 5K, sponsored by Blue Buffalo, will unite all pets and people looking to enjoy the breathtaking views of the San Diego Bayfront while raising funds to save more lives, rain or shine. Timed runners will hit the path at 7:30am and complete the race as fast as they can, while those who register to walk will begin at 8:15am and enjoy the course at their own pace.
The festivities will also feature St. Patrick’s Day-themed fun at the “After Paw-ty” in Petco Foundation’s BARKetplace. Families and teams will gather for music, a human and canine costume contest, dog agility, kid’s activities including face painting, food, and dozens of interactive heath and pet-related booths.
Race entry for the 9th Annual Puppy Love 5K is $40 for adult runners and walkers and $18 for youth 12 and under. Those with team spirit can gather a group of six or more and use the DISCOUNT CODE “TEAM10” to get $10 off for each adult! For more information or to register, visit animalcenter.org or call 858-756-4117 x 350.