New Dog Walk on Tampa Riverwalk Will Raise Money for Local Animal Rescue
Pepperjack's Hot Diggity Dog Walk, a new event the night before the Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic races, will benefit the Mercy Full Project.
By Min-jun Kim ·
Dog owners in Tampa will have a race-weekend event of their own this year. Pepperjack's Hot Diggity Dog Walk, a new addition to the Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic lineup, starts on the Tampa Riverwalk the night before the distance races begin.
The walk is also a fundraiser. Proceeds will go to the Mercy Full Project, a local nonprofit animal rescue.
Susan Harmeling, executive director of the Gasparilla Distance Classic Association, said the idea came from public demand. "It's something that was born out of us getting phone calls asking if dogs could participate in any of the PGDC events," she said. Because dogs are not permitted in the human races, organizers created a half-mile walk for them.
Heydi Acuna, founder and director of the Mercy Full Project, said her organization has rescued almost 3,200 animals since 2019. "We bring animals from neglectful situations and place them into our facilities until we find a foster home for them," she said.
Acuna said the money raised will support the group in several ways. It will help the rescue stay in its shelter and pay for veterinary care, including surgeries that can cost thousands of dollars. It will also fund the group's education and community engagement programs, which she said run every day.
Participants should consider whether their dog is suited to the event. Organizers say dogs should walk well on a leash, behave around other dogs and be comfortable in large crowds. Dogs must be leashed, and retractable leashes are not allowed.
Registrants must also sign a waiver confirming that their dog's vaccinations, administered by a licensed veterinarian, are current. The required vaccines are rabies, DHLP, parvo and bordetella. Each registration covers one person and one dog.
Dr. Mark Twilla, lead veterinarian at Sunshine Animal Hospital, urged owners to stay alert given the crowds. "Keep your pet close to you. There is going to be a lot of excitement, a lot of commotion and that can stimulate some dogs. So you just want to make sure you are in control of your pet at all times," he said.
Registration for Pepperjack's Hot Diggity Dog Walk is open through February 16.
Originally published by News Media House · Source: ABC Action News (WFTS Tampa Bay 28)
