Mutt Strutt will put on the dog for humane society
The Butler County Humane Society will hold its third Mutt Strut in the Rotary Shelter at Butler Memorial Park on Oct. 3.
The first Memorial Mutt Strut began as a way to memorialize Garrett Fifield, a 15-year-old who died three years ago, and his love of animals.
Now, the event has taken on even more significance with most humane society events canceled this year over coronavirus concerns, according to Amy Fifield, a volunteer with the humane society and Garrett's mother.Those who attend will be invited to join a two-mile walk with dogs that are friendly with other dogs. The event will include raffle baskets and the humane society also will hold a dog costume contest in the spirit of Halloween.“We're trying to turn my grief into something productive and something to get through graduation. It was a tough spring. I keep trying to think of things that would make him proud,” Fifield said, noting that her son would be graduating this year.
“I started to work here because I knew it was something he would have wanted,” she said. “Every time he talked about his future it involved animals.”The humane society's biggest event, the Furball, was canceled earlier this year, leaving events like Mutt Strut even more important because the organization is completely funded by donations, according to Fifield.So far, donations have helped to fill in the loss of funds generated at larger events, she said. Fifield noted that people can still donate, even if they don't plan to attend the Mutt Strut.
But for those who can make it, Fifield said it is worth the effort.“It's just a fun, happy event,” she said.Those who plan on attending are encouraged to preregister at https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/ucVobsAwyRk7oJzQsBMFng.
