EHS Save the Animals Club to host Doggy Dash Fun Run 5K this weekend

Dash: Katie King and her son Charlie try to hold onto Brutus during last year’s Doggy Dash Fun Run 5K.
Dash: Katie King and her son Charlie try to hold onto Brutus during last year’s Doggy Dash Fun Run 5K.

By Caitlan Butler

Staff Writer

El Dorado High School’s Save the Animals Club will host their second annual Doggy Dash Fun Run 5K this weekend, with all profits from the event going to the Union County Animal Protection Society.

The event began last year as a way to localize the club’s mission of raising awareness about endangered animals. Although the animals at UCAPS and around Union County are not endangered, the club wanted to have an impact for local animals.

“We do kind of have an overpopulation of stray dogs and cats and the abandonment of dogs and cats. Our shelter is overloaded and that makes animal welfare really challenging, because if the shelter can’t take them, where do they go? … [The students] thought ‘what is a way we can have a big fundraiser, get people involved with the dogs?’” said Stephanie Fussell, sponsor of the Save the Animals Club.

Participants are invited to bring their dogs to run with them. The run will be broken into three parts: round one begins at 8:30 a.m. and will be for runners without dogs; round two begins at 8:45 a.m. and is for runners with dogs; and round three begins at 8:55 a.m. and is for walkers with or without dogs.

For those that would like to run or walk with a dog but do not have one of their own, UCAPS will be on hand with some of their most well behaved dogs that can join in. Dogs must be leashed or harnessed to participate. There will be no breed restrictions for the dogs that can participate.

“It’s a very dog friendly event to help it be more of a doggy dash,” Fussell said. “When Tanja (Jackson, UCAPS shelter manager) brings the UCAPS dogs, she chooses very carefully. She talks to the people who will be running with them ahead of time and tries to match people with dogs accordingly.”

The Saves the Animal Club began two summers ago, when an EHS student was researching whales and other endangered species. Fussell said the research quickly turned to conservation and environmental issues right here in Arkansas, leading to the formation of the club.

“They felt really passionate about doing something about endangered species and helping animals in general, animal welfare, and they started the group,” Fussell said.

Save the Animals Club President Camden Sanford said the club has been inspiring for him. He said he has learned more about the needs of the animals here in Union County and has been able to meet those needs through his involvement with the club.

“This club has been like watching a child grow up. Helping co-found the Save the Animals Club and lead it has really helped me become a more informed citizen of Union County with UCAPS,” Sanford said. “They are such an amazing organization and we want their work to be heard by all.”

Sanford said membership in the club nearly doubled this year. Although he will graduate this spring, he said he is looking forward to seeing how the club continues to grow.

“I know that the club has more events in the talks for next year,” Sanford said. “Whatever it is, you won’t want to miss it.”

Last year, the club managed to raise $2,500 for UCAPS. After cutting costs for this year’s event, Fussell said the club has a goal of $3,000.

“The money we raise goes directly to [UCAPS], and it all goes to assist them aide the lost or stray pets around Union County. Their goal is to save those animals and our goal is to save all animals,” Sanford said. “We would love to meet or exceed that same amount to help UCAPS with their funding since such a huge percentage of their funding comes from donations.”

The run will take place at the fairgrounds; starting at the soccer fields, participants will follow the trail around the Lions Club Municipal Golf Course, finishing where they began.

Registration cost is $20 up to April 12. On the day of registration, April 13, the cost will be $25 or $20 and a bag of dog food. Children under 10 are welcome to participate for free and high school students can get a $5 discount by signing up online with the code ‘wildcat,’ all lower case.

The run will begin at 6:30 a.m. on April 13.

To sign up online, visit runsignup.com/race/ar/eldorado/ehs2019doggiedashfunrunfora

cause.

“We hope to raise money for UCAPS, we hope to spread awareness about UCAPS’ need for donations and how reliant they are on the community for food and monetary donations for their pets and to honestly just to provide people space where they can come and be with other people who care very deeply about this issue,” Fussell said. “It’s just kind of fun for the whole family.”

Caitlan Butler can be reached at 870-862-6611 or [email protected].

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