Put your best paw forward this weekend and help stop animal abuse

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – This weekend thousands of animal lovers from across the Thompson-Okanagan will help stop animal abuse simply by walking their dogs.

For more than a decade, residents of cities across the province have laced up their sneakers for the Scotiabank and BCSPCA Paws for a Cause Walk.

Manager of the Kelowna SPCA Suzanne Pugh says for the last couple months her branch, along with branches in Penticton, Kamloops and Vernon, have been recruiting participants willing to help them reach the provincial goal of $75,000.

Registration starts at 9 a.m. on Sunday in Kelowna, Vernon and Kamloops, while the Penticton Paws for a Cause takes place Saturday.

Pugh says you can participate even if you don’t have a dog and all money raised goes directly to your own local SPCA.

Global Okanagan meteorologist Duane English will emcee the Kelowna event, which will also include vendor booths and dog agility demonstrations before and after the walks.

For more information on locations, start times and registration, check your city below.

Kelowna (City Park)

Kamloops (Pioneer Park)

Penticton (Gyro Park)

Vernon (BX Ranch Dog Park)

To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infonews.ca or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.