Arizona Animal Welfare League’s No. 1 event this November at Tempe Town Lake
Staff Reports | Digital Free Press
The Arizona Animal Welfare League, Arizona’s oldest and largest no-kill shelter, presents the 24th annual Walk to Save Animals on Saturday, Nov. 5.
The family and pet-friendly event helps raise funds for vulnerable and medically in-need animals across Arizona, according to a press release.
Friends, family, coworkers and pets can enjoy fun activities at Tempe Beach Park from 8 a.m. until noon.
Activities include the clinic corner with health supplies for pets, a fun activity play zone, pictures with Santa, dog training demonstrations, designated shopping zones, food trucks and an on-site adoption center, the release states.
The Walk to Save Animals is AAWL’s largest annual fundraiser, bringing together a community of people and pets to support the shelter’s life-saving programs, including adoptions, behavior training, and low-cost medical care.
AAWL is excited to announce that this year’s Presenting Sponsor, who would like to remain anonymous, made a very generous donation in memory of very special two-and four-legged family members: JD and Mick and their beloved Kroos, who was an AAWL alumni and was adopted from our shelter by JD in 2013.
JD and Mick James were devoted AAWL supporters. JD began volunteering at AAWL in 2013, during which time he met a rambunctious and very vocal Dodge, a two-year-old German Shepherd, whom he later adopted and renamed Kroos after JD’s favorite soccer player Toni Kroos. Kroos came to live with Mick and Leslie when JD passed in 2018. He lived a happy life with the James family (and AAWL alumnus Jack) until recently passing in early August after being diagnosed with lymphoma.
“The Walk to Save Lives has a special place in our lives because JD took Kroos to the walk shortly after he adopted him in 2013,” remembers the donor.
“The AAWL community of staff, volunteers, fosters and adopters is a community that spans beyond the physical walls of the shelter. Whether its transporting animals from rural areas and supporting local rescues with their difficult medical cases or providing needy pet owners with affordable, accessible veterinary care, the AAWL community comes together each and every day to help vulnerable cats and dogs and the people who love them. Everyone at AAWL has been so welcoming and supportive to our family over the years and they’ve helped us out through times of loss, and we are grateful to be able to give back to help support AAWL’s life-saving programs and services. Thank you, AAWL, for everything you do for the animals and for those of us whose lives are enriched by these babies.”
Walkers can document their journey on social media with the hashtag #WalkToSaveAnimals and #ThisIsHowIWalk.
