Dogtoberfest Dog Jog next Saturday

There’s nothing like a fall jog to highlight the area’s pet overpopulation problem.

Spokane County Regional Animal Care and Protection Services and Volunteers Offering Intermediate Care and Enrichment are sponsoring the Dogtoberfest Dog Jog and pet adoption festival next Saturday.

The fund-raiser will support programs to train pets to make them more adoptable, and public education.

Organizers want to raise awareness about the growing number of dogs and cats filling area shelters this year.

So far this year, 4,800 pets have arrived at SCRAPS as strays picked up by animal control officers and as pets left there by owners.

Patricia Simonet, development coordinator, said two years ago the shelter started a program that provides vouchers for discounted spay or neutering procedures. The discounts are available for all pets licensed through the county.

The dog jog is four miles and travels from Sullivan Park along the Centennial Trail. A two-mile route has been mapped out for walkers. The jog begins at 1 p.m. at Sullivan Park, and the pet adoption festival runs from 1 to 4 p.m. at the SCRAPS shelter, 2521 N. Flora Road.

A pet adoption festival will run throughout the afternoon.

Early registration costs $20 and includes a T-shirt. Late registration costs $25 and begins at noon.

For more information, call 477-2532.