Ready, set, woof! On Saturday, April 20, Journey Home Animal Care Center will host its 11th Annual Strut for Mutts 5K fundraiser at Deerfield Park in Rifle. Executive Director Heather Grant wrote in an email to The Sopris Sun that such fundraising events are crucial to the shelter’s success.
“The past couple of years, our organization has had an increase in animals that need more extensive medical or behavioral care,” noted Grant. “We can provide this needed care because of wonderful donors and fundraisers.”
Grant relayed that the average cost of care for an animal is $400. All Strut for Mutts proceeds will go toward animal needs for food, vaccinations, medical care and daily enrichment.
In 2020, Journey Home saw the effects of budget cuts within Garfield County which specifically resulted in doing away with Animal Control. Grant described this as a huge step back for animal welfare in the county.
When it comes to addressing animals at large, that responsibility has been put in the hands of residents, Grant stated. “There isn’t anyone in the county … trained in picking up animals running at large.”
By the same token, she added that thanks to funding from the board of county commissioners the shelter can continue to support the needs of lost and found animals in West Garfield.
According to Journey Home’s impact statement, in 2023, it: Reunited 279 stray animals with their families; maintained a 41% return-to-owner rate; vaccinated 1,672 community-owned animals; adopted out 1,071 animals; took in and cared for 1,370 animals; and spayed and neutered 1,178 pets.
Ros Hatch is a volunteer at Journey Home and will be helping with race setup the day of the event. Hatch is in her third year of volunteering with the shelter and was on the “Penny’s Peeps” racing team a few years back (named after her family’s dog Penny). Penny passed from old age, and the group will be racing again this year in her name.
Last year, Hatch said families showed up to the race along with one or two of their dogs. She also remembered a couple who brought their cat in a baby carriage.
Journey Home puts on multiple fundraising events, from the 5K to a comedy show and even a meal for community members where a classic Italian staple is served, known as the “Spayghetti and No Balls Dinner.” That last event raises funds specifically to support the affordable spaying and neutering services.
“I need to volunteer for the animals because they can’t help themselves,” Hatch stated.
Grant is on the same page as Hatch when it comes to showing up for animals. She wrote that the event is a great way to meld spending time outdoors with supporting temporarily homeless animals.
“It is awesome to see so many families out enjoying their four-legged family members and helping the shelter at the same time,” Grant shared.
All 5K participants will receive an event t-shirt as well as a swag bag on race day. Bringing along a dog (or cat) is encouraged but not required. After all, those who attend the race without an animal just might end up bringing one home. Grant confirmed there will be dogs eligible for adoption at the race.
One of those pups is named Junior — currently the shelter’s longest resident. Junior came to the shelter in July of 2023. He is a male mutt and just over two years old.
Registration for the Strut for Mutts 5K is currently open. Visit www.jhacc.org for registration and more information.