SPCA hosts Strut Your Mutt on May 13

Strut Your Mutt, the race to end animal cruelty, is coming to Ellis County on May 13 from 9 a.m.-noon at Getzendaner Park, located at 400 S. Grand.

Strut Your Mutt, hosted by the SPCA of Texas, is a 3K fun walk for the whole family, including dogs.

“Of course, you can bring your dog, and ‘strut your mutt,’ ” Becky Adamietz-Deo, manager of public relations, said.

To participate, it costs $35 per person, with children 11 and younger free. Adamietz-Deo said starting Monday, May 8, there will be a buy one, get one free deal. With registration, participants get a T-shirt and a bag with a bandana for their dog, a doggy toy, dog treats and more.

“We need to do more stuff in this community for animals because, believe it or not, Ellis County does bring in a lot of animals in and out of this facility,” Marina Vazquez, Ellis County animal care center supervisor, said. “We have to help them, even if it’s doing this race.”

The funds raised from Strut Your Mutt go toward the medical care of animals in SPCA’s care and its animal cruelty investigations unit. According to spca.org, the unit rescues “thousands of animals from abuse and neglect” in response to “more than 1,500 cases of animal cruelty every year.”

For those participating, Vazquez encourages them to make sure their dog is up to date on current vaccines to be on the safe side. Adamietz-Deo said there will be water available for both participants and their pets.

Following the completion of the fun walk, participants can walk around the Bow Wow Bazaar, which will include vendor booths, activities for both pets and kids and more. Adamietz-Deo said more than 18 vendors will be set up, including BentHill Dog Co., Ann’s Health Food Center & Market, PetSmart, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, Ellis County Sheriff’s Office and more. Kids can enjoy a variety of outdoor games, coloring sheets or watch dog demonstrations, where dogs run through an agility course.

The SPCA will have a mobile adoption unit with dogs from its Ellis County and Dallas locations available for adoption. Vazquez said staff from Ellis County will also be walking adoptable dogs from the center during the fun walk.

99.5 The Wolf, 96.3 New Country, and Hot 93.3 are radio sponsors for the event and will be broadcasting live from Strut Your Mutt. Kevin Crouch of South Metro Weather will emcee the event.

Food trucks will also be on site, including Annie-Freeze Chill Fac-Tory, Irie Vibez Jamaican Soul Food, Good Directions BBQ, and El Charro Taco Shop.

Adamietz-Deo said Strut Your Mutt will be an annual event in Ellis County, with each year getting bigger and bigger.

For more information or to register, visit gostrut.org. Onsite registration opens at 8 a.m. May 13.

Originally published May 6, 2023 - https://www.waxahachiesun.com/news/local/spca-hosts-strut-your-mutt-on-may-13/article_2898d6e4-ebd5-11ed-98fb-ef4f01efda63.html