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Julia Nathan

The event is hosted in order to raise funds for neglected animals across Minnesota.

Junior Ketki Hotaling remembers walking her horse, Gone with the Wind, in the 2010 Walk for Animals fundraiser. She said it was eye-opening to see the awe and excitement of the crowd upon seeing the horse.

“I handwalked him through it, and he was a little jumpy, spastic and idiotic but other than that he was fine,” Hotaling said. “It was at that moment that I realized how much of a difference I could make.”

This year May 2 marks the 41st annual Walk for Animals fundraiser where participants of all ages come together with their pets to raise money for the Animal Humane Society, according to Terry Arthur, humane educational worker at the Humane Society’s Golden Valley location.

Family and friends form teams to raise money and complete a two-and-a-half mile walk, beginning at the Humane Society in Golden Valley.

Arthur said every penny raised goes directly to the Humane Society to help the shelter with its mission to care for animals. All humans and their furry friends are welcome at the event.

Hotaling, whose family is part of the American Animal Hospital Association and helps sponsor the event, said the walk is a way for the Humane Society to raise money for animals in need.

“It’s such a great thing to do,” Hotaling said. “It really promotes awareness of what’s going on and how many animals are in abusive situations and how many of them need forever homes.”

According to Arthur, the Humane Society’s goal this year is to raise $1 million in donations.

Though dogs and cats are the most common animals at the event, Arthur said, goats, ducks, chickens, rabbits and cats make appearances each year as well.

According to Arthur, the fundraiser helps more animals get adopted since so many people are stopping by in a short period of time.

“The walk brings a lot of traffic and attention to the Humane Society,” Arthur said.

Along with the walk, Arthur said there is face painting, hair dying, food trucks and live music to enhance the experience for all. There are also a variety of tents set up for local animal businesses, and for Animal Humane Society services such as grooming, training and boarding.

Hotaling said she looks forward to the walk because she loves seeing participants supporting the Humane Society with their pets.

“(My) favorite part is just to see people who love and support their animals as much as we do and see old friends from the veterinary world,” Hotaling said.