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The Fur (& Feather!) Flyer
Established in 1965, HAWS assists over 6,000 animals and welcomes more than 31,000 human visitors annually. As an “open admissions” shelter we lead the community in animal welfare and assure sanctuary for all animals in need, regardless of age, health or temperament. HAWS is a non-profit, entirely donor-fund organization with an active humane education program, and both wildlife and companion animal rescue services for Waukesha County.
Still Walking...After 25 Years!
By Humane Animal Welfare Society
Thursday, Apr 3 2008, 02:54 PM
Today it is exactly one month until HAWS’ Annual Pet Walkathon – which is on May 3rd, from 9am until 3pm at Waukesha’s Minooka Park.
 The Walk is always a special event for us – we call it our “celebration of pets and their people.” It is a day full of fun with our pets - dogs mostly, although we have one donor that brings his turtle and they do an amazing job of fundraising together! We walk, play, shop and socialize, all in support of HAWS.
The event started as a dog walk, with no tent and just a handful of picnic tables (check out the historical pix in our most recent newsletter). It has grown to a full-fledged festival with vendors, pet competitions and demos, a lure course, celebrity guests, special recognition ceremonies, a Parade of HAWS’ Adoptable Pets and much more. This year our Walk is celebrating a special anniversary – it is our 25th year of walking, and our paws STILL aren’t tired!
Speaking of tired, tire-LESS is the best word to describe the organizers of this event – all of whom are volunteers, too. Nancy is our event chair/goddess who keeps it all together, Chris zooms around in a golf cart keeping everyone happy as our day-of-the-event-captain, Sandy Z. and Zona make sure everyone is fed! Martha and Roger keep the registration area running smoothly, Fred and Sandy H. corral and coordinate the day-of volunteers, Maria will show you where to park…I’m forgetting someone, I’m sure, because this event takes many, many, MANY hands…
A neat highlight also this year is the German Shepherd Club of Wisconsin - one group that has been with  us almost since the beginning. In 2008 they are celebrating their 20th year of participation in the HAWS walk, and we couldn’t be happier to have them with us! This group alone has raised over $66,000 during their years of Walking. Known local animal welfare supporter Marilynn Mee, from 96.5 WKLH middays, is recruiting team members and raising funds for us. Today’s TMJ4 Weather Plus meteorologist, Brian Gotter will be joining the fun and emceeing several of our competitions…including a lunchtime mini-race by the Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Club’s Famous Racing Sausages! And, if that weren’t enough, everyone’s favorite sea dog, Roscoe from the Milwaukee Admirals, will also be on hand in the afternoon.  We’d love it if YOU’D join us, too! Come and celebrate our love of pets and what they mean to us. By the way – our chief blogger is out until 4/15, presumably collecting Walkathon pledges. Pace yourself with this entry – or join in (on foot or online!) and fundraise along with us! See you on May 3rd at Minooka.
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