Strut Your Mutt runs on volunteer power
The Best Friends Strut Your Mutt event has been raising funds for homeless pets in Salt Lake City in 1995. Each year since then, it has raised more money for the organizations dedicated to achieving a No-Kill Utah (NKUT). NKUT is an initiative led by Best Friends Animal Society that brings together passionate individuals, city shelters and a coalition of animal welfare organizations to end the killing of dogs and cats in Utah shelters by the year 2019. For some NKUT Coalition members, Strut Your Mutt is an opportunity to raise the majority of their operating budget. For other groups, the extra funds allow them to do more to help the most at-risk animals.
“Volunteers are essential to Strut Your Mutt, and we need more than 200 volunteers for the event,” says Lydia Beuning, manager of support services. “We literally could not put on the event without the help of our dedicated volunteers. It's such a fun event to volunteer for. It's rewarding to witness thousands of animal lovers gathered to raise money for Best Friends and our NKUT Coalition partners.”
Lifesaving plain and simple
First time Strut Your Mutt participant, Sheltie Rescue of Utah, is strutting this year to help pay for mounting veterinary bills. The organization rescues Shetland sheepdogs around the state (and from as far away as Montana and Nevada) from puppy mills, as well as shelties with serious injuries or who need ongoing care. For Sadie Jane, who was picked up by Sandy Animal Control, Sheltie Rescue of Utah provided the expensive dental work and full medical exam required for her to be a happy and healthy dog. The organization prides itself on giving fun-loving, spirited pups like Sadie a second chance.
“I feel that if it weren't for Sheltie Rescue of Utah, our babies would have had an early and cruel death,” says Robyn Robinson, committee chairman for Strut Your Mutt. “They are the reason I feel it is so important to do Strut Your Mutt.”
This NKUT Coalition partner is on its way to meeting its financial goal for the Strut Your Mutt, but, still, the event needs more volunteer manpower to make it a rousing success.
Volunteering — it’s for everyone
While Strut Your Mutt in Salt Lake City takes place September 13 at Liberty Park, the volunteers begin work a few days before. From loading supplies to setting up, there is something for everyone to do. Other much-needed volunteer roles include audio and visual assistant, beer garden ID checker and children’s area volunteer.
Last year more than $200,000 was raised to help the homeless pets of Utah. Volunteering for Strut Your Mutt is an exciting way to make a contribution to the animals in need while connecting with animal-loving friends and neighbors. The event is just about halfway to securing the volunteers necessary to make it run smoothly without a hitch. For folks who have never volunteered for an event before, Strut Your Mutt is one of the most enjoyable. Your help will go a long way toward achieving the no-kill goals of the Beehive State.
Get involved
Learn more about volunteering for the Strut Your Mutt at https://volunteers.bestfriends.org/
You can also email for more details utahvolunteer@bestfriends.org
For more information on Strut Your Mutt, click here.