Running with the Dogs 5K set for Sunday

This Sunday afternoon, Feliciana Animal Welfare Society (FAWS) launches its first annual Running of the Dogs at BREC’s Zachary Community Park. The event is part of the Zfest, otherwise known as Zachary Art & Music Festival.

The 5K course rambles through neighboring subdivisions across Highway 964. Both walkers and runners are invited to bring their furry, vaccinated, leashed friends to join in the festivities.

Proceeds benefit East Feliciana’s only animal welfare nonprofit. The organization was founded by group of residents concerned about the overwhelming number of abandoned animals wandering the parish. Since 2008, the group has increased its volunteer corps from seven to 16 and adopted out 1,065 dogs. In addition, FAWS has spay/neutered 979 cats and adopted 207. Besides re-homing cats as pets, FAWS also offers feral and semi-tame, vaccinated, spayed/neutered felines as barn cats. To quell the overpopulation of unwanted animals, FAWS has partnered with Cat Haven, LSU School of Veterinary Medicine and Baton Rouge Spay Neuter to offer parish residents low-cost spay/neuter services.

“We’ve been able to accomplish a lot in five years,” says FAWS co-founder and Vice President Suzanne Hobgood, who currently fosters 10 dogs. “It really does take over your life. It’s something you can’t not do. There’s such a great need.” FAWS hopes this event will raise funds and awareness and attract both new volunteers and adopters.

Online registration is available until 1 p.m. on March 23 for $20. Pre-registered runners’ packet pick-up begins at 1 p.m. on March 24. Race day registration begins at 1 p.m. and costs $30. The race follows at 3 p.m.

For more information, email [email protected] or call 225.718.4537. Click here to register.

If you’re looking for a new running buddy or a great canine or feline companion, FAWS has many adoptable animals including:

	Polo is a very sweet, calm, happy dog who was found in a field right before Hurricane Isaac. This Australian shepherd mix is ready for his forever home.
	Beautiful Nuzzy drew a crowd of fans at a recent adoption event. Her friendly personality, wagging tail and gorgeous eyes caught the attention of dog lovers. This young hound mix enjoys riding in the car and sits on command. She loves to hang around with humans and other dogs.
	Harley is a beautiful six-year-old male friendly Pomeranian, who is really confused as to his current situation. His previous owners suddenly moved and were unable to keep him. Harley is kennel trained and likes people. He is unsure around other dogs, but he is becoming more confident around other canines in his foster home.
	Bee Bee is one cute puppy! She owes her unique looks to a purebred Boston terrier mother and a father of unknown origin. While her mom is a small dog, this five-month-old will mature into small to medium with shiny, jet black fur and a white stripe down her neck.
	From his behavior, it seems Bijou was a much-loved pet that got lost and landed at Jackson Animal Control. This beautiful dog weighs about 35 pounds, has a fluffy tail and a golden coat with white and cream accents on his face and underbelly. If his legs were longer, he’d look like a purebred retriever. He’s in a rough place right now, but he acts like he’s never had a bad day, just takes it all in stride. With a face that exudes pure optimism and a friendly nature, it’s no wonder Bijou has become a favorite among FAWS volunteers.
	Big, beautiful five-year-old Rilee is patiently waiting for his forever family to find him. This big ole lunky, longhaired, laid-back bear rug is fairly set in his ways. He’s no athlete, so forget about the morning runs. Lazing around on the living room floor or at your feet on the front porch, living the easy life and keeping it simple is just how he rolls. Though this kennel-trained border collie mix gets along well with other dogs, his curiosity about cats might cause him to give chase.

All these pets have been spayed/neutered, vaccinated and heartworm tested. Many other adoptable dogs, puppies, cats and kittens are available through Feliciana Animal Welfare Society, http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/faws.html