Celebrate the 30th anniversary of Walk/Run! Register to walk a route around downtown at your own time and pace, run a 5K and submit your time online, or set up a fundraising page and earn awesome prizes! Check out the links below for more information about the event. Don't see what you're looking for? Contact us. 

UPDATE! Check out the Walk/Run 2021 route!

REGISTER NOW DONATE

Walk/Run for the Animals Basics

It's the Walk/Run you've loved for 30 years - socially distanced to keep us all safe. Walk it or run it, just don't miss it! 

Walk it...

Your path winds through lovely downtown Vancouver! With several "pit stops" along the way, you'll check in for fun goodies from our partners and sponsors. All locations on the route will be open and ready for participants on May 1st from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm.

• Route Details

  Walk Route
  Join us on event day and travel to 7 stops through downtown Vancouver, featuring 14 of our animal-loving partners. Stops are open 9:00 am - 3:00 pm and will feature entertainment, freebies, prizes to win, food or beverage for you to enjoy. 

  Route stops:

  • WellHaven Pet Health
  • Main Event Sports Grill
  • Northwest Personal Training
  • The Pie Hole
  • Bleu Door Bakery
  • Umpqua Bank
  • Heathen Brewing Feral Public House

  View Google Maps route here.

  5k Run
  On your mark, get set... RUN! Runners can set their own route and run it anytime from Monday, April 26 to the end of day Saturday, May 1.

  1. A week prior to the event you will receive an email with your race bib and instructions on how to submit results.
  2. When the race officially starts on Monday, April 26, you will receive an email and text message welcoming you to the race.
  3. Submission of your race results can be done via web form or text message.
  4. When submitting your results, you will have the option to include a link to your Strava or Garmin Connect activity. If you do this, your results will be marked as Verified. If you don't have one of these apps, you can install Strava from your phone's app store and run with your phone.
  5. When you report your results, you will be able to upload photos of your race to go into the Official Race Photo gallery.

  Race results will be produced and ranked online in the following categories: overall, gender, and age group.

• Prizes

  Raise funds, earn prizes! Remember, it's all for the dogs and cats! 
  Download list of prizes here.

  Join the Companion Circle

  The fundraising prize levels end at $1,500 but there is another level for the determined fundraisers. Once you have raised $1,500, you will be a member of the Companion Circle. Named for our love of companion animals and the fact that we are working to raise money to support the animals all year long.

  Each time you raise $500 above $1,500, your name will go into a drawing for a dinner for 8 from either 3 Sheets at the Harbor or Main Event Sports Grill. This dinner either can be dine in or pick up and take out. Think about getting together with family and friends and you don’t have to cook.

  • Prizes are awarded to individuals based on individual fundraising efforts.
  • Prizes are cumulative. As you reach a level, you earn that prize, and all the prizes preceding that level.
  • One prize per person, per level.
  • Prizes and sizes are available on a first-come-first-served basis. 
  • Prizes are ordered well in advance of the event, and we make our best guess about how many people will achieve which levels. If we run out, we will provide rainchecks so you can receive your prize at a later date. 

  In order for donations to be counted toward earning prizes, please consider these deadlines:

  Last day to mail in cash/check donations: April 20
  Last day to drop off cash/checks at HSSW: April 30

• Event FAQ

  Q. What do I need to bring with me to the Walk/Run?
  A. - Masks will be required for all staff, volunteers, sponsors, partners, and event participants. All participants must be distanced 6 feet apart from other participants outside of their group and wait their turn to visit the business or booth.
  - Cash and check donations and your Donation Tracker form with your donor information.
  - Your wallet. A few of the stops on the route are restaurants. Stop and take a break for lunch or a beverage!  
  - Six-foot or shorter leash (not an “extend-a-leash”) and dog waste bags if you are bringing your dog.

  Q. Where does the path go?
  A. This year, walkers will have the option to start and stop at any of the route locations. It is a circular path through the heart of downtown Vancouver. View the map! 
  The running path can be wherever you choose! Run where you want or the old Walk/Run route. Track your time and submit it online through our timing company. 

  Q. Where should I go when I get there?
  A. Start wherever you choose on the route. Each location will be participating in the event from 9 am-3 pm. Go to all the stops or pick where you want to go. It's up to you!

  Q. Can I attend the Walk/Run if I don’t want to bring a pet?
  A. Everyone is welcome at the Walk/Run for Animals. Plenty of attendees either do not own pets or have pets that stay home. If you’re a cat lover, consider walking in honor of your cat by pinning a photo of your cat to your shirt. For safety reasons, for both you, dogs and cats, we ask that cats stay at home.

  Q. What kind of leash can I use?
  A. All dogs must be kept on a leash at all times. Leashes should be no more than six feet in length while on the course. Flexi-leads or “extend-a leashes” are NOT allowed. 

  Q. What vaccines does my dog need to participate?
  A. While we don't require you to bring proof of vaccinations, we do request your dog be current with the following:
  - Distemper/Parvo combo, Bordatella, and Rabies
  - A current license

  Q. Can I bring my bike or roller blades? What about my baby stroller?
  A. Bikes, skateboards, rollerblades, etc. are prohibited for safety reasons. Baby strollers are permitted.

  Q. What if my dog goes to the bathroom?
  A. We hope you’ll take Walk/Run as an opportunity to practice responsible pet guardianship and clean up after your pet! We will have some waste bags at the different route stops, but please bring your own as well. Help us model what it means to be a respectful animal lover living amongst others, cleaning up after your pet helps everyone on the course.

Registration Info

Questions about registering? Check out the information below. We'll walk you through the registration process. 

• Registration Fees

  Walkers and Runners Registration Fees*
  $45  |  April 2 - April 25
  $50  |  April 26 - April 30
  $55  |  May 1 (day-of)
  *Children 12 and under register FREE always (with adult registration)

  Can't be there? Register as a Cat-Napper and be a virtual fundraiser! You can still support the event by encouraging your friends, family, co-workers, etc. to donate to your fundraising team! 

  All registered walkers and runners will receive a participant bag, free swag from our sponsors and partners, and a chance to earn prizes through fundraising. This year, both walkers and runners will receive a finisher's medal!

  REGISTER NOW 

• How To Get Started
  1. Follow the link to register for the event and select the, “REGISTER” button at the top of the page. Choose from a virtual run that you can do anywhere or a socially-distanced walk to different HSSW supporter businesses in downtown Vancouver. If you'd like to only participate as a fundraiser and not attend the event, use the, "FUNDRAISER ONLY" ticket option.
     
     
  2. Set up a fundraising page. When you register as either a walker or runner, you are automatically created a fundraising page. If you prefer not to fundraise, disregard the email about being a fundraiser, or log in to your account and delete your fundraising page. If you would like to join an existing team or create a new team, select "Register" and either "Join a team" or "Create a team." Contact Kyra at [email protected] if you have questions or issues with your fundraising page.
     
     **NEW THIS YEAR: your walk or run registration fee will now be applied to your fundraising page! For example, if you register as a walker and pay the $35 registration fee, your $35 will be applied to your fundraising page and towards your personal and team fundraising goal.
     
     
  3. Personalize your fundraising page. Upload that incredibly cute photo of your pet, the one that melts all the hearts. Tell the world why your pet is the best, why you’re running your first (or 50th) 5k, make it personal and clever. Your friends and family already love you, but show them why they should love you + pets even more. More information on how to edit your page on our Fundraising page.
     
     
  4. Go out into the world and conquer. Send out the unique link to your fundraising page and request donations. There are lots of ways to be creative and raise money for the dogs and cats.
     
     
  5. Earn a little thank you. The more donations you earn the more prizes you’ll collect. Just a little something, something for all your awesome effort. 
• Virtual Timing and 5K Race Awards

  Run Timing

  1. A week prior to the event you will receive an email with your race bib and instructions on how to submit results.
  2. When the race officially starts on Monday, April 26, you will receive an email and text message welcoming you to the race.
  3. The period to complete your run or walk is between Monday, April 26 and end of day Saturday, May 1.
  4. Submission of your race results can be done via web form or text message.
  5. When submitting your results, you will have the option to include a link to you Strava or Garmin Connect activity. If you do this, your results will be marked as Verified. If you don't have one of these apps, you can install Strava from your phone's app store and run with your phone.
  6. When you report your results, you will be able to upload photos of your race to go into the Official Race Photo gallery.

  Race results will be produced and ranked online in the following categories: overall, gender, and age group.

  Awards

  Awards will be given to the following categories. Your award will be emailed to you or available for pick-up at the Fundraising Prize Pick-Up day (date TBD). The winners will be notified the week of May 3, 2021. 
  

  • Overall Fastest Woman
  • Overall Fastest Man

  Age Groups

  Prizes are given for first-place finishers in each age group for male and female runners (overall finisher's excluded from age group awards). Prizes and awards will be emailed or available for pick-up at the Fundraising Prize Pick-Up day (date TBD). The winners will be notified the week of May 3, 2021. 

  • 0 - 13
  • 14 - 19
  • 20 - 29 
  • 30 - 39
  • 40 - 49
  • 50 - 59
  • 60 - 69
  • 70 - 79
  • 80+

Resources for Fundraisers

Already registered and looking for some tips to take your fundraising to the next level? We're always wowed by the creativity of our fundraisers - and we know that you've got some great ideas! But if you need a little help getting started, here are some tips for fundraisers.

2021 Sponsors

Our sponsors are incredible - they care about the dogs and cats in our community and they really know how to show it! 

Presenting

Thomas A. Plein Foundation

Best Friends

Main Event Sports Grill
Riverview Community Bank
VCA Animal Hospitals
Waste Connections

Top Dog

Columbia River Veterinary Specialists
Good Neighbor Vet
WellHaven Pet Health

Fat Cat

Rowena Lusby-Caplice, Go with Ro, Realtor 
Mud Bay

Bag Giveaway

Leonardo's Pizzeria

Tail Wagger

A Dog's Best Friend
Allied Fastening Supply, Inc.
Merck Animal Health
Tito's Handmade Vodka  

Media Partner

The Columbian

Questions? Contact: 
Kyra Phelps
Marketing & Events Coordinator
[email protected] or 360-213-2614