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Woof! Walk taking over Essig Park in Yucca Valley on Saturday (5/9)

Set loose the hounds, because The Woof! Walk is happening on Saturday (May 9).

The Woof! Walk is the Joshua Tree No-Kill Shelter’s largest fundraiser. They are a non-profit shelter in Joshua Tree dedicated to finding homes for dogs, cats, and other animals. They are currently working to add new shelter structures to their facility, and the Woof! Walk is a great way for you to get involved.

Saturday’s primary event is the Woof! Walk, which is a parade of pooches throughout Essig Park at 11:00 a.m. The suggested registration donation of $20 goes directly to the No-Kill Shelter.

Shelter Board members Robin and Mimi joined Cody and Jef on the Morning Show to discuss the rest of the event, and explain why it’s important.

“There’s so many local vendors. Tarot card readings, face painting for kids. We have a great DJ, Buck Mild. He does the Red Dog line dancing. He’s gonna be carrying the whole day and leading line dancing with your pets or without.”

Mimi said, “We’ll have a lot of great food. We got the Dez, Desert Baked, Tiny Pony coming in for the adult beverages. Three or four different trailer type foods and then we have great rescues coming and that’s important.

“We’ll have rescues present, including Animal Action League and Save the Meow Meows.”

Robin added, “This is our big yearly event and it’s really important as far as medical practice. We have a lot of medical bills because some of the dogs that come to our shelter aren’t in the best of shape and it’s our job to make sure they’re in the best of shape when we adopt them out to a family. That’s another huge amount of money that goes out from out of our shelter.”

A full day of fun includes dog costume contests, rescue presentations, raffles, and a silent auction. Vendors and pet resources will be on hand, along with food vendors and a mobile bar from Tiny Pony. Join Jef Harmatz and his dog Sunday where he will have a booth and will be doing live call-ins from the event.

The Woof! Walk is happening on Saturday (May 9 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Essig Park in Yucca Valley. It’s completely free to attend!

Jef Harmatz

Jef Harmatz is the co-host of Z107.7’s “Morning Show with Cody and Jef” and Z107.7’s News Director. He has worked as a journalist, cartoonist, chef, and delivery driver. He is known nationally for his writing and comics in publications like TimeOut, Popula, Roadtrippers, Solrad and Spiralbound, and for his album covers for Third Eye Blind and Sir Sly. He is known locally for his pop-up barbecue restaurant Hot Dog Panic. He remains unknown in the field of beekeeping, because he is too afraid of being stung to try it. When not on the radio, he draws comics and self-publishes little books. He lives with his partner and his dog Sunday in Yucca Valley, where he cooks them both elaborate meals.