SEBASTIAN — A few hundred dogs – and a cat – with their humans descended on Indian River Drive Saturday morning, forming a pack to help their fellow four-legged furry friends at H.A.L.O. Animal Rescue. From tiny Chihuahuas to a horse-sized English Mastiff, all animals were welcome to join the walk.
“I’m hoping to support them,” said H.A.L.O. volunteer Angela Smith, who brought her husband, Mike, and daughter, Julia Hogue, to the fifth annual Walk in a Pack for Animals fundraiser.
With them was Titan, a 210-pound English Mastiff, who stood passively as other dogs arrived.
“He loves everybody,” Hogue said.
Marsha Perryman participated in the walk for the first time, bringing Maddox, a Snowshoe cat.
“He’s up for anything,” Perryman said as 7-year-old Maddox watched the dogs from the comfort and safety of a cat stroller. “He’s a traveling man.”
Perryman noted that her husband asked her before she left with Maddox Saturday morning if she really wanted to take the cat to what would be a primarily dog event.
She said she hoped to spark a trend of people bringing their cats with them. Maddox is used to being outside in his stroller, she explained, because she takes him on walks at the Sebastian Inlet.
As for participating in the Walk in a Pack for Animals event, Perryman said she wanted to help support H.A.L.O. Animal Rescue.
“There are wonderful things H.A.L.O. does,” Perryman said, noting that the organization has a desperate need for continued support.
“I’m very happy to be in a community that cares,” she added.
Tiffany and Charlie Larson formed their own small pack of three dogs – Mickey, Missy and Oliver, all rescues.
This was the third year for them participating in the fundraiser.
“The dogs get out and they enjoy it,” Tiffany said.
“And we have fun,” Charlie added.
H.A.L.O. Animal Rescue founder Jacque Petrone said she was happy with this year’s turnout. The event was originally scheduled for last Saturday but non-stop rainy weather forced them to push back the date by a week.
“Every year I hope for more and more” participants, Petrone said just before the nearly 2-mile walk got underway. She said it was uplifting to see so many former H.A.L.O. dogs return for the event.
“It makes it all worth it,” she said of the stress and the challenges the organization goes through.
The animal walk paraded north on Indian River Drive from Riverview Park up to H.A.L.O. on Jackson Street. Participants got a brief respite at various businesses, including Riverfront Chill & Grill, Mulligan’s, Aunt Louise’s, Capt. Hiram’s, and Squid Lips as they picked up cards for the Poker “crawl” portion of the event.
Other businesses that supported the event include Publix, Reliable Septic, Jack FM, 3D Fencing, Pest Arrest, Alternative Medicine Clinic, and Florida Veterinarian League.
The Walk in a Pack for Animals is H.A.L.O.’s biggest fund-raiser and the money collected helps to pay down the accruing debt of veterinary bills.
To see so many people and animals participate in the event “lets us know we’re on the right track,” Petrone said. “It restores our faith in people.”
For information about donating or about the shelter, visit www.HALORescueFL.org or call (772) 589-7297 or visit HALO at 710 Jackson St., Sebastian.
