Once in the gallery,
click on the first photo and
then click "slide show."

Clear skies and mild temperatures were just a couple of
the many factors contributing to the amazing success of
the our First Annual Paws for a Cause Dog Walk & Festival,
held at Riverview Farm Park in Newport News on Sunday,
May 20, 2007.

More than 1,000 animal lovers and supporters were on hand throughout the day to take part in the festivities and to browse the booths sponsored by 12 rescue groups and 24 exhibitors. Pups of all ages enjoyed activities such as the Tidewater Performance Club's weight pull station, Bedlamb Bestiary's agility exhibit, Merrimac Dog Training's dog trick workshops and the many wading pools naively intended for drinking water.

"We were encouraged by the community's outpouring of support for its SPCA," says Doug Bevelacqua, Chairman of the Board of the Peninsula SPCA. "The funds raised will help us establish the first ever veterinary clinic at the Peninsula SPCA and further our Mission to find good homes for the Peninsula's forgotten pets."

The four-hour event was packed with a variety of activities that included the Great American Disc Dog Show, police and bomb dog demonstrations, tail wagging and dog costume contests, demonstrations by local rescue groups, music and, of course, the actual Dog Walk which featured nearly 400 registered walkers and their canine companions.

Over $66,000 was raised to benefit the 10,000 animals that come through the Peninsula SPCA each year. Top individual fund-raising honors went to Ira Triplett, Sr. who raised $3,089! Other fundraising kudos were awarded to:

• Top Team & Vet Challenge Winner - Salty Dawgs of Salty Paws Veterinary Hospital raised $5,240

• High School Challenge Winner - Menchville High School SCA, $1,500

• Largest Team - PAWSitively PURRfect of Poquoson Veterinary Hospital, 18 members raised $3,263.75

• 2008 SpokesDog Winner - Marlo Raez (selected in a raffle from the walkers who raised $1,000 or more)

Of all the wonderful aspects of the day, however, one victory stood out above all others … a little dog named Gizmo went home to his new family. To us, that is the perfect ending to a perfect day.

Please join us next year for our 2nd Annual Paws for a Cause Dog Walk & Festival! The official kick off will be in January 2008, but early birds can pre-register now!

This year's event was sponsored in part by:

Woofstock Stage Sponsor:
Waterstop Sponsor:
Activity Sponsors:
Sponsors	Rose & Womble Realty	Patrick's Hardware	Unifirst Corporation
	Masters Mechanical	We Love Your Pets, LLC	Ferguson Center for the Arts