People, their dogs run for animals on Palouse
Humane society annual fun run to raise money for shelter operation needs
The Humane Society of the Palouse will have its annual Paw-louse 5k on Saturday in Moscow.
June 26, 2019
The ninth annual Paw-louse 5K Fun Run and Walk will kick off June 29 near University of Idaho campus to raise operating costs for animals in the community. Registration begins at 8 a.m. with the race starting at 9 a.m.
Tara Wimer, executive director of the Humane Society of the Palouse (HSoP), said the event costs $20 to pre-register before June 1 and $25 for late registrations to participate.
There will be prizes for first, second and third place, and Wimer said HSoP will be selling bandanas for dogs.
“It really helps people form friendships and relationships,” Wimer said, “it is also is a great [option] for pet owners to [be active] in the community.”
About 100 to 200 people participate at the family-friendly community event each year, but that number can vary due to the weekend and weather. On average HSoP raises about $3,000 to $5,000, Wimer said.
Staci Sproull, board member of the HSoP, said HSoP is a nonprofit organization that receives minor help from the city and Latah County because they care for animals that are from the same area.
Sproull said the goal is not to raise costs of fundraisers but to increase the number of participants.
The funds will go to their operating costs for dogs or cats in HSoP’s care, which include medical procedures, vaccines and microchips, she said.
The HSoP has a veterinarian that donates her time to treat animals once a week, and staff take other animals to the WSU veterinary clinic, Wimer said.
Everyone and anyone can participate in the event, Wimer said.
“Dogs that are friendly with other dogs can participate. We just ask [that they] stay on the leash and for owners to pick up after them,” Wimer said.
Tara Wimer, executive director for the Humane Society of the Palouse, says the Paw-louse 5K Fun Run and Walk costs $20 for participants. Wimer says the funds will go towards helping homeless animals.
The start and finish for the fun run and walk is the lawn in front of the Intermodal Transit Center near the blue parking number 60 at the UI campus by Railroad Street in Moscow, she said.
The roads will not be closed during the event, but the volunteers will help the participants at intersections, she said.
“We will also have bulletin boards to let people know where our course goes,” Wimer said.
The event started as a fundraiser for a college senior project, which was first called, “It is running cats and dogs,” Wimer said.
“We had such a fun time that we decided to actually turn it into one of our annual fundraisers,” she said.
