For over a decade the soothing sounds of dogs on the march has been a springtime tradition here in the desert. The Woof Walk has typically taken place in Pioneertown but on its 11th year the parade of pooches is moving to Essig Park in Yucca Valley, a spot already popular with hi-desert tail waggers.
The event is in support of the Joshua Tree No Kill Shelter which has been in the same spot since 1982. The shelter broke new ground this year the first phase of its expansion, prepping the property for two new kennel buildings expected to go in over the summer.
Glen Harris: “Once those are complete, we will then go on to phase two and that will include new cat kennels and admin buildings. We have big plans to do gazebos where people can hang out with the animals and potential dog runs. You know… the sky’s the limit.”
Glen Harris is the co-president of the Joshua Tree No-Kill Shelter, which is currently the only shelter in the area that has no-kill status, a status they gained in 2005.
Glen Harris: “We will always be no-kill. And we are now working with a lot of the other local animal organizations because we really hope to create a basinwide animal alliance, we all need to work together because we all want the same thing. We’re all here for the same reason. And we all certainly can support one another to make life a lot easier for these animals.
“This is a fundraiser, first and foremost. So every penny goes directly towards the building of the new shelter. And we expect our community is going to support us like they always do.”
There will be twenty five local vendors at the Woof Walk with all sorts of local goodies for pets and their owners. Animal rescue and resource groups like The Animal Action League, Save the Meow Meows and Feathers and Fur will be there.
There will also be food from local eateries The Dez, Desert Baked, Sully’s Crepe Co., JT Desert Drifters, Cowboy Churros, Yum Yum Tacos, and Mas o Menos will be there slinging some canine-themed craft cocktails.
Glen: “I think I can say one of them being the barkarita.”
You can bid on a silent auction with fifteen raffle items and there will also be a $20-per-ticket cash raffle where one winner will be taking home a cool thousand bucks. The day begins at 10:00 a.m. when registration opens, and by 11:00 a.m. its time to get those dog paws marching.
Glen: “People can come with their dogs and register, and we do a big dog parade and I encourage everyone to bring their dogs in costume. We’re going to have some costume contests and we’re going to have a contest for the dog that looks most like their owner. We have really fun prizes and we are doing a ton of different raffles. Wolf Walk is for kids of all ages and certainly dogs of all ages. It’s going to be really fun and it is not only a celebration of all things dog it’s also a big celebration of our community because our community is one very special community.”
Woof Walk Schedule:
- 10:00 Registration opens
- 10:45 Blessing of the Dogs
- 11:00 Woof Walk around the park
- 11:30 “Best Sit” Pet Contest*
- 11:45 “Best Trick”*
- 12:00 “Best Costume”*
- 12:15 “Looks like Owner”*
- 1:45 Raffle Drawings
- 2:00 Silent Auction Closes
- 2:15 Cash Raffle Drawing
- *Winners of these contests will receive a $25 gift card to Happy Tails
You can get more information on the Woof Walk and the Joshua Tree No-Kill Shelter at their website www.JoshuaTreeNoKillShelter.org.
Previously Reported:
