Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – Enthusiastic pet owners from across South Florida gathered on Saturday to participate in the 34th annual VCA Walk for the Animals, a significant event hosted by the Humane Society of Broward County. The 1.25-mile walk, held at the picturesque Las Olas Intracoastal Promenade Park, featured a vibrant atmosphere with booths, live entertainment, and a pet boutique, all aimed at supporting a worthy cause.
From 8 a.m. to noon, the event brought together thousands of animal lovers, showcasing the organization’s commitment to providing adoptions, community services, and education for animals in need of a loving home.
Cherie Wachter, the Vice President of Marketing at HSBC, emphasized that participants didn’t need a pet to join the one-mile walk—just a love for animals. The event welcomed dogs of various breeds, and over 1,000 attendees signed up to support the cause.
Local 10 News anchor and dedicated animal advocate Jacey Birch actively participated in the event and initiated a fundraising page to contribute to the cause. She emphasized the impact of donations, stating, “By donating to the Walk, you are helping thousands of animals that come through their doors each year. Every dollar supports them as they provide veterinary care, food, shelter, and much more to every animal they see.”
During the event, a young boy named Jupiter, who previously organized a puppy party in September to contribute to the Walk for the Animals, expressed his love for furry friends, stating, “I love Walk for the Animals so people can get more animals.”
The HSBC set a fundraising goal of $495,000 to aid in animal care and future surgeries. According to Wachter, the organization has successfully reached over 90% of this goal, thanks to the generous contributions from the South Florida community.
Highlighting the critical role of events like Walk for the Animals, Wachter explained that HSBC relies on donations as a non-profit organization, with the average contribution being around $25. Some companies also participate by matching donations. The HSBC is additionally accepting toy donations to provide entertainment for the animals at the shelter.
For those interested in adopting, the Humane Society of Broward County has a variety of dogs, cats, rabbits, and other furry friends awaiting their forever homes.
