News Release

June 8, 2007

Contact: Sheila E. Ryan
Dir. of Development & Marketing
Phone: (603) 772-2921 ext. 106

Stratham, NH
For Immediate Release

Pet Fest a Great Success and Fitting Tribute

Pet Fest 2007 featuring the 15th Annual Paws Walk to raise funds for the animals of the New Hampshire SPCA in Stratham was held Sunday, June 3rd at Stratham Hill Park. The event was dedicated to the memory of Tim Gutmann, long-time and beloved volunteer, who was killed in a kayaking accident in Biddeford Cove, Maine on May 9, 2007.

Despite cold temperatures and rain, the event drew a record number of teams and walkers with over 550 people in attendance. The event raised over $50,000 to benefit the homeless animals of the NHSPCA.

The morning began with thanks given to all supporters by Joanne Lamprey, President of the Board of Directors and a warm tribute by Executive Director, Lisa Dennison in memory of Tim Gutmann, beloved volunteer whose family was in attendance. A blessing of the animals was then given by Reverend Michael Denney from Seafarer's Friend of Portsmouth. Event hosts Danielle Currier and Mark Ericson of the WOKQ Morning Waking Crew then kicked off the walk with a rather loud rendition of Who Let The Dogs Out!

Walkers headed out for the walk and returned to enjoy Pet-X games, agility mini-classes and demonstrations provided by New England Agility Team, a demonstration by the Maine Coast Runners Flyball Team and a flying disk competition with Skyhoundz, food prepared by the Friends of Stratham Hill Park and more than 45 vendors and exhibitors.

"The success of today's Paws Walk is a fitting tribute to Tim Gutmann. He worked tirelessly on this event over the years. He would be proud today", said Volunteer Coordinator, Christine Schumaker.

The Alpha Award for the top fundraising individual adult Paws Walker went to Shirley Childs of Epping while the Alpha Award for youth individuals under 16 was won by Chelsea Mercier of Somersworth. The Golden Paws Award for the top fundraising adult team went to The Yellow Dogs Barn team, led by Joanne Miller, from Barrington, while the youth team that won top honors was Lot's O' Paws, led by Hayley Reddington of Newmarket.

The NHSPCA would like to express our tremendous gratitude to all of our sponsors, especially, Top Dog Sponsor, Lamprey Brothers, Media Sponsors, Seacoast Media Group, WOKQ 97.5 and McDermott & Company Marketing, Signature Tent Sponsors: B. M. Appraisal & Jewelry Design Ocean National Bank, State Line Pet Supply and M.J. Werner, Activity Sponsors: Barking Dog, Ltd., Pet Quarters and Water Station Sponsors: Piscataqua Savings Bank, Bottomline Technologies, Stratham Irving Blue Canoe and UBS Wealth Management USA for their tremendous support.

The New Hampshire SPCA is a community resource center that provides animal adoption, education, investigation and sheltering services in a professional and compassionate way. The Adoption Center is open from 11 am - 4pm on Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 11 am - 7pm on Tuesday and Thursday, and closed on Wednesday. For more information about the NHSPCA, visit www.nhspca.org.

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