There's No Place Like Homeward Pet - 5K Walk/Run

Homeward Pet Adoption Center would like to invite you to attend our 4th Annual 5k Walk/Run Benefitting the Animals!

This family/pet friendly 5k is designed with our supporters, foster families, volunteers and adoption alumni in mind! If you love Homeward Pet and want to support our lifesaving work, this event is for YOU! Leash up your furry friend and rally friends and family to walk/run with you!

Some of the Fun Activities you can expect:

• Splash pads for the dogs
• Photo booth
• Fun vendors

Themed costumes are encouraged - Be as creative as you want!

(*Parking will be limited. You are encouraged to carpool or arrange for a drop off/pick up)

Would your company (or favorite haunt) like to participate in our Vendor Fair? We would like to create a space where people want to hang out with their friends after the run. Be a part of the festivities! To inquire about becoming one of our vendors or featured businesses, contact Miranda at miranda@homewardpet.org  

Would you like your logo to appear on all promotions surrounding the upcoming 5k? We have multiple levels of race sponsorship to choose from! Contact Molly at molly@homewardpet.org for more information

All proceeds will directly benefit Homeward Pet Adoption Center and the lives of the animals in our care

About Homeward Pet

Homeward Pet Adoption Center is one of the leading non-profit, no-kill animal shelters in Washington State.

Our mission is to transform the lives of cats and dogs in need through compassionate medical care, positive behavior training, and successful adoption while building a more humane community.

Homeward Pet is a private organization. We receive no state or federal funding. Your donations help us to grow a robust program that spans beyond simply intake and adoption. Enlisting the principles and practices of Fear Free Sheltering, the animals in our care are assessed as individuals and receive behavioral, medical, and in-home foster care as needed. Because of the generous support of donors and volunteers, we can care for animals that others may not have the resources for.

In addition, we provide free behavior consultations and low cost spay/neuter services to keep animals out of the shelter system and in their homes. We can work with owners to find a way to keep their pets. If an animal must be rehomed, we offer Home to Home to help owners match up directly with new adopters so that the animal never has to spend a day in the shelter.

The Story of Gridley

Last Spring, our Intake Manager, Katie, helped welcome an extra-large, 6.5-year-old black lab named Gridley from the Yakima Transport Van. 

Gridley was set up as a guest in a 10×5 kennel with toys and a soft bed. With no outstanding medical or behavioral challenges, he was cleared for adoption right away. He was a fun-loving, couch potato of dog. Our volunteer walkers reported that he was easy to walk but preferred cuddling or quiet time. However, weighing in at 115 pounds, his size tended to be a concern for potential adopters.

He stayed for 2 months as a guest in our shelter and was loved by staff and volunteers alike. His adopters discovered him through our adoption outreach program and drove up from Portland Oregon to finalize the paperwork to adopt him.

Gridley’s new family fell in love with him, yet they found it necessary to reach out to our Post-Adoption Support and Behavior Line for help.

Gridley was indeed a big lover and couch potato, but he was having a hard time adjusting to his new life. He had become anxious, vocal and destructive, and his adopters needed help figuring out how to best ease his anxiety. 

Our Behavior Team communicated weekly with the adopters, providing tips and tricks to help Gridley adjust. After a challenging 8 weeks, Gridley settled in, and his adopters sent the following update:

"My husband and I love snuggling with him, as he politely sneaks onto our bed in the wee hours of the morning and nestles himself in between us.

We start training with Noble Woof trainers (thanks for the recommendation, Theo) next month to work on basic training and some impulse issues, but he has shown that he is highly trainable and eager to please.

We had a challenging start with Gridley, and of course we were worried we wouldn’t be the right fit for him, but we are so glad we stuck with him! He is a great dog and we love him!"

While we care for the animals within the walls of the shelter, our compassion and support doesn’t end there. With our Behavior and Adoption Support Teams, we provide free services and support to adopters, while they adjust to new life with their new family member.

Your support makes this possible!

We Believe In Karma

Just because an animal has serious medical complications, doesn't mean that we give up on them.

Karma came through our doors with both hyperthyroid disease and early signs of kidney disease. She also came with a zest for life and an adventurous nature.

Both of these illnesses would take time, and a certain amount of trial and error to find the right balance of medication to treat her symptoms and make her life manageable.

The longer Karma was with us, the more we got to know her. Karma’s personality emerged as her symptoms were managed and her pain and discomfort decreased. We discovered that she loved laying under the sun lamp and watching birds on the TV screens. Her ultimate favorite thing though - hours upon hours of lap time.

As we learned these fun personality quirks, we were able to share them with potential adopters, and after some time, Karma left Homeward Pet.

Her new family adores her, and has even started harness training her to give her time outside to see real birds and not just ones on a screen.

Your support provides the funds for this type of extended medical care and intervention. Homeward Pet is blessed to have a clinic and staff that goes above and beyond to prepare a customized veterinary plan for each animal we host.

The Lollipop Guild has put their funny little heads together to find items that would make you feel even more welcome to Munchkin Land.

Personal fundraisers earn valuable prizes for hitting various levels of fundraising excellence.  All prizes are branded with the Homeward Pet logo and provide you with more opportunities to engage in conversations with people and get them excited about all we have to offer our community. Even if you feel like you aren't intrigued by the prize at the level above where you are, consider that you could offer it as an incentive (via drawing or other random contest) for all the friends and family who donate to get you to each level. 

Fundraising prizes will be available for pick up by the second week in October. Emails will be sent out to all fundraisers who achieved prize levels.

$50-$99	Clear Tote Bag
$100-$249	Long Sleeved T-Shirt
$250 - $349	Roll Up Blanket
$350 - $499	Aqueduct 40 oz Tumbler with Straw
$500 - $999	Pet Essentials Bag
$1,000 - $2,499	Cutter and Buck Jacket
$2,500 - $4,999	Anker® Soundcore Space One Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones
$5,000 - $9,999	Sue Cartwright Custom Pet Portrait
$10,000 +	Custom Designed Skateboard by Orikal Uno at GraffRootsMedia

If you are not interested in receiving incentives for your efforts, please email pr@homewardpet.org and we'll take you off of the incentive list but keep you on as a valuable Lollipop Guild team member! 

We understand that sometimes "life happens". Unfortunately, refunds will not be issued for any reason. 

This is a rain or shine event, so please be prepared for all weather conditions.

Registration is $35.00/person  (includes a race shirt and swag bag)
Race shirt and swag bag are not guaranteed after August 30th

             
Late Registration/Day of Race is $40/person 
(t-shirt/swag bag not guaranteed)

9:30am - Vendor Fair and Day of Registration
10:30 - Race Start 
11:30-1:00pm - Food. Local Vendors. Music. Photo Booth. Community Resources. and more!

There's No Place Like Home 5K Walk/Run will begin and end at the Wilmot Gateway Park

Participants will leave the large grassy area and follow the Sammamish River Trail 1.55 miles towards the Hollywood District where Volunteers will be waiting to loop you back to the festival at Wilmot Gateway Park. The trail is relatively flat and paved.

The 5k will begin with a brief rolling start to allow for the best race for every participant.

*Trail Note: You are invited to run/walk with your well behaved pet on a 4-6 foot standard (non-retractable leash) or stroller/cart of your choice!

**To reduce our footprint on the park and trails, doggy care stations will be provided. Runners are encouraged to bring a water bottle (as needed) and utilize the refill stations provided by the City of Woodinville.