For Immediate Release

Contact: b j Altschul, APR

240.773.5967
bja@mchumane.org
Main Shelter Information: 240.773.5960

Grab your walking shoes and get your pooch ready for a stroll along the trail!

The Montgomery County Humane Society (MCHS) is expanding its annual dog walk and festival, Paws in the Park, merging with the City of Gaithersburg’s former Bark in the Park canine festival.

Saturday, April 23, is the new date, from noon to 4 p.m. at Bohrer Park, 506 S. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg. Rain date is Saturday, April 30, noon to 4 p.m.

Now in its 13th year, Paws in the Park is one of the largest dog walks in the DC area, expecting more than 500 walkers. As one of MCHS’s signature special events, it raises funds to help homeless and abandoned animals in Montgomery County.

Registered walkers are encouraged to invite friends to support them through online donations. Supporters can sign on individually or by forming a team that includes family or friends, favorite breed groups, rescue organizations, companies, teams to honor or remember a pet -- even the family cat. Entrance fees are $20 for an individual or $35 for a family.

The fun-filled afternoon includes a 1-mile walk, pet games and contests, demos, rescue groups, a “flealess” market with over 50 pet-friendly vendors, food, music, raffles and more. Special guests Jackie Bensen, NBC News 4 reporter, and Maureen McLain, on-air mid-day host from 97.1 WASH FM, will kick off the walk at 1 p.m., with top individual and team online fund-raisers invited to lead the pack. Kimberly Suiters, NBC 4 anchor/reporter, will emcee contests and dog games, sponsored and judged by Pro Feed Pet Nutrition Centers.

To register and start fund-raising online, visit www.mchumane.org and click on “Register Online.” Participants can also register on-site the day of the walk.

Paws in the Park supports the Montgomery County Humane Society’s efforts to protect and care for unwanted, abandoned and abused animals -- everything from dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs, to reptiles, birds and others. Contributions make a difference in the animals’ lives as well as assist the people who love them. Programs include humane education, animal rescue, behavior advice, affordable spay/neuter, pet retention and pet bereavement workshops, foster homes, life-saving medical care, off-site adoption events, and a network of approximately 200 partnering rescue groups.

Paws in the Park is supported in part by Grand Champion Sponsor Whole Foods Market – Montgomery County stores, and official radio sponsor 97.1 WASH FM.

About the Montgomery County Humane Society:

The Montgomery County Humane Society in Rockville, MD, is a nonprofit animal welfare organization that has provided animal sheltering services for Montgomery County since 1958. MCHS receives funds to operate the Montgomery County Animal Shelter under a grant from the Montgomery County Government and from private donations. As the only full-service animal shelter in the county, MCHS handled more than 9,200 animals in 2010, and, as an open admission shelter, never turns an animal away. Visit our website to learn more, or call 240.773.5960 option 4. Hours to visit with the animals are weekdays, noon-7 p.m., and weekends, noon-5 p.m.; closed Wednesdays.

About the City of Gaithersburg:

Located in the heart of Montgomery County, Gaithersburg became an incorporated City in 1878. With a population of just under 60,000, it is now one of the largest cities in the state of Maryland. Gaithersburg is an international center of biotechnology, and it boasts award winning schools, neighborhoods and commercial developments. Its respect for its heritage, demonstrated by the revitalization efforts in the Olde Towne residential and commercial district, coupled with thoughtful planning for new communities, and a commitment to cultural, recreational and leisure time activities, makes Gaithersburg the ideal place in which to live, work, learn, and play. In 2010 Gaithersburg ranked #25 on a national list of Best Places to Live compiled by CNN/Money Magazine. For more information please call the office of the City Manager at 301.258.6310 or visit the City’s website.

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For sponsor and other event information contact Ashley K. at 240.483.2846 • ashleyk@mchumane.org