Walk set in town for this weekend

Published 10:00 am Thursday, September 6, 2012

Don’t be surprised if Mill Pond gets a little feisty Sunday.

The 16th annual Mower County Humane Society Walk-A-Thon will take place starting at 1 p.m. Sunday, with all proceeds going toward the humane society’s new animal shelter.

“It is very exciting,” said Kelly Rush, MCHS volunteer.

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For 16 years, the Walk-A-Thon has been the top fundraiser for the humane society, and MCHS volunteers hope the same takes place this year. Last year’s drive raised more than $24,000 for shelter operating costs and the new shelter project.

MCHS volunteers unveiled plans for a 9,000-square-foot shelter last February, and will share the same plot of land at the end of Oakland Avenue E., east of Highway 218 and beside the Austin Municipal Airport, with the Austin Police Department, which is expected to build a new city animal shelter. MCHS volunteers are more than 2/3 of the way to the $600,000 goal to make the shelter happen, and once the city officially buys the plot of land on Oakland Avenue E., construction can begin.

But in the meantime, residents can enjoy a nice stroll around the pond with their dogs, with pre-registration starting at 1 p.m. and the walk taking place at 2 p.m. There will still be pet contests, top prizes for top pledge earners, and even a concession stand for dogs.