Dog walk set for Sept. 16
Adog walk, sponsored by the Volunteer Auxiliary for Animal Shelters, is scheduled for 1-4 p.m. Sept. 16 at Ocean County Park, Route 88, Lakewood.

The purpose of the dog walk is to raise funds to supplement emergency medical/ surgical treatment for animals at the Ocean County animal shelters, according to an Ocean County Health Department spokesman.

"This is a fun event that benefits strays and unwanted animals that are brought to the county shelters and are in need of immediate medical attention," said Edward Rumen, department public information officer.

Rumen said persons wishing to participate can stop by the Northern Ocean County Animal Facility to pick up a sponsor sheet or call Sue Shannon of the volunteer auxiliary at (732) 598-3630 to obtain one by mail. Dogs and their owners also are welcome to show up together for the event without a sponsor sheet.

"If you do not have a dog, but wish to participate, the volunteer auxiliary is a charitable organization and donations are 100 percent tax deductible under law," he added.

"The volunteer auxiliary members are wonderful, caring people who have aided us tremendously in the past," said Dr. Ella Boyd, public health coordinator. "Due to their generosity, many of our strays received immediate and necessary medical attention, were nursed back to health, eventually adopted into good families and provided a lifetime of joy."

Participants are asked to bring an item to donate, such as dog toys, cat toys, blankets, towels or doggy chewy treats.

Participating animals must be kept on a leash, licensed and up to date with vaccinations. All participants will walk at their own pace and at a distance comfortable to each individual dog, Rumen noted.

"I salute the good work of the volunteer auxiliary in helping to care for strays and unwanted pets sent to our animal shelters," said Freeholder Gerry P. Little, liaison to the Board of Health. "The Sept. 16 dog walk gives us all a chance to help an organization that helps our most needy abandoned animals, and I hope everyone who can, will support it."