NHSPCA: About the Society

News Release

Paws Walk – Sunday, June 7th

Come, Walk, Save Lives

May 14, 2009

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

The New Hampshire SPCA is all abuzz as the 17th Annual Paws Walk rapidly approaches. The New Hampshire SPCA invites the entire community to Come, Walk, Save Lives on Sunday, June 7th at Stratham Hill Park in Stratham, New Hampshire.

The annual Paws Walk is open to young and old, with or without dogs, to walk and raise critical funds for the animals. Funds raised will help save animals’ lives by providing food, safety, medical care and a second chance at life with a home and family for the nearly 4,000 animals turn to the NHSPCA each and every year. “There is still plenty of time for animal lovers to get involved,” said Sheila Ryan, Director of Development and Marketing at the New Hampshire SPCA. “All folks have to do is go to our website (www.nhspca.org) and download a registration form. They can even register and raise their pledges online through Firstgiving. It’s easy to do and is so important to the animals”.

Firstgiving, an online fundraising tool, makes raising money to help the animals easier than ever! Walkers have the ability to create their own unique fundraising page and forward it to contacts via email or link the page to MySpace or Facebook profiles. “It is a fantastic way for people to really expand their network and cast a wider fundraising net,” said Meghan Larsen, Annual Fund Coordinator at the NHSPCA. “We are seeing some tremendous success for fundraisers.” Last year’s event raised over $96,000 for local animals and this year’s event is expected to raise even more. Walkers will qualify for awesome prizes based on their fundraising.

The event will feature fun and excitement for pets and people. Families are encouraged to come and enjoy the day. Youngsters have lots to do at Kids Korner where they can take part in crafts, face painting and have a blast in the bounce house. Special demonstrations will take place throughout the day and will feature NEAT, the Maine Coast Runners Flyball Team, Pet Communicator Susan Deren and many others. Vendors will be on hand throughout the day for those who need that perfect gift for their pet – or themselves. Dance away the after noon to a live concert by the classic rock band, Old B’s of Hampton. Pamper your pooch at Doggie Day Spa then spend a few blissful minutes enjoying a chair massage in our Relaxation Tent hosted by Ann’s Ginger House of Lee. Delicious food will be available for purchase and is being provided by Rocky’s Famous Burgers of Newmarket.

The Paws Walk offers two routes for participants to choose from. The 1 ¼ mile route goes throughout the park on mostly flat terrain while the 2 mile route takes walkers up to the top of Stratham Hill to find breathtaking views of Great Bay and the surrounding area. Registration begins at 10:00 AM and the walk begins at 12:00 PM preceded by The Blessing of The Animals.

The NHSPCA would like to thank all of our tremendous sponsors for supporting Paws Walk 2009, especially our Top Dog Sponsor, Lamprey Brother’s, Paws Walk Sponsor, Ocean Bank, Signature Tent Sponsors, Eastern Seaboard and TD Banknorth, Activities Sponsors, Stratham Family Health, Portsmouth Regional Hospital, A Bow & Beyond, and Richard and Tina Duffy, Water Station Sponsor, PetCo Foundation, and Media Sponsors, WERZ, Comcast Spotlight and WMUR Channel 9.

For more information contact Meghan Larsen or Sheila Ryan at (603) 772-2921, ext. 105 or visit the NHSPCA web site at www.nhspca.org.

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