Maryland SPCA Announces New Location for 22nd Annual March for the Animals
Names Shelter Dog, who Had Life-changing Surgeries, March for the Animals Chairdog
BALTIMORE, March 23, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- After holding their annual March for the Animals walk-a-thon and festival at Druid Hill Park for the last 11 years, the Maryland SPCA announces a new location for their largest fundraiser of the year. The March for the Animals will take place on Saturday, April 15 at Camden Yards Sports complex including outside M&T Bank Stadium and Oriole Park, and the area known as Ravens Walk.
"We're really excited to have this year's March at such a great venue," said Sharon Kroupa, March for the Animals chairperson. "It's an easy location to access, and we'll have tons of free parking and lots of fun activities for people and pets."
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., animal lovers and their four-legged friends are invited to participate in a 1-mile walk-a-thon and festival. The March route will take place around M&T Bank Stadium.
Timber, a one-year-old Border Collie mix at the MD SPCA, has been name honorary chairdog for the event. Timber who has been with the MD SPCA since November recovering from two successful surgeries that corrected a genetic defect to his hind legs that prevented him from walking on them, will be the first to step over the starting line for the March.
A fun festival will take place at the finish line with vendors, food trucks, kids' tent full of activities, adoptable pets from the MD SPCA and other shelters, name-your-own price flea-less market of new and gently used pet items, and best pet costume and best pet trick contests. New this year, will be live music by Fast Eddie and the Slowpokes, a human/pet look-a-like contest and two photo booths.
"The Maryland SPCA doesn't receive any operating funds from the city, federal government or money from any other animal welfare organizations like the ASPCA," said Kroupa. "We were able to help almost 15,000 pets in our community last year, including Timber, because of the proceeds from the March for the Animals. We want to help even more pets this year, but we need community support to help us reach our lofty goal of raising $450,000." Last year's March raised more than $437,000 to help pets and people in the community.
All proceeds will be used to provide safe shelter, nutritious meals, medical care and enrichment to the pets at the Maryland SPCA's adoption center and to provide programs that improve the lives of pets and people in the community, including spay/neuter services, low-cost pet wellness care, community outreach, humane education, behavior/training, and more.
Participants can register individually or form a team "Pack" at www.marchfortheanimals.org and create personal fundraising pages. Participants 18-years-old and older are asked to raise a minimum of $40. Prizes will be awarded to the top fundraisers, as well as the top fundraising team or Pack.
Event-day registration for the walk-a-thon opens at 9 a.m.; starting line ceremonies will begin at 10 a.m. Camden Yards Sports Complex is located at 1101 Russell St., Baltimore 21230. Free parking in Lot C, top half of Lot B closest to Oriole Park and Lot A. The event will take place rain or shine.
About the Maryland SPCA
The Maryland SPCA is an independent nonprofit organization that works to improve the lives of pets and people in Maryland. They receive no operating support from the government or other animal welfare groups including the ASPCA. The Maryland SPCA is able to help close to 15,000 pets each through pet adoption, spay/neuter, community pet wellness care, pet training and counseling, and community programs. For more information, visit www.mdspca.org or call 410‐235‐8826.
CONTACT: Tina Regester, Director of Communications
410-235-8826 ext. 139 or 443-243-5868 (cell)
[email protected]
SOURCE Maryland SPCA
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