SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — A run to help our furry friends is taking place this weekend in Sioux Falls.
Pups and humans alike are excited for the Bark in the Park Saturday morning.
“It’s kind of a fun run, but this year we are going to have a timed race. We’re teaming up with 605 Running. So if you’re running the 5K, there’ll be prizes for first and second place,” development coordinator, Madison Godschalk said.
The event consists of either a 3k or a 5k for both people and pooches.
“We have dog lovers who are doing the walk. We have avid runners that are bringing their own dogs to do the run,” community outreach director, Dana Konzem said.
Dogs can also take part in different contests at the event.
“We do handsomest hound, prettiest pooch, musical chairs, sloppiest kiss, furriest friend, and the winner gets prizes for all those,” Godschalk said.
Money raised from the event goes to helping animals find their forever homes, and to stay healthy while they wait.
“Feeding the animals, making sure that they are getting the proper medications, cleaning up after them, heating and cooling our building. So just kind of keeping everyone comfortable while they stay with us until they find their new homes,” Konzem said.
Organizers hope people from across the city lace up their shoes to help out.
“This event is one of my favorites because a lot of events that we have are just for the humans, but this really is about the animals. So there’s going to be a lot of fun things, and that’s why I think everyone should come out here, because it really is for the animals and we’re all going to be together, hanging out and just having a really good time,” Godschalk said.
“We rely on our community. We can’t stay open without our donors. And when we take in 8,000 animals every single year, we need those donations to stay open and be able to help these animals out,” Konzem said.
There will also be pet-related vendors at the event.
Registration starts Saturday morning at 8:30.
Click here for more information on Bark in the Park.
