C.A.R.E. Gets Ready To Strut For Strays

Community Animal Rescue Effort volunteers and supporters—both human and canine—are gearing up to support the shelter activities in the annual Strut For Strays. 

C.A.R.E.’s 17th annual Strut For Strays will take place Sat., May 12, at the Ladd Arboretum in Evanston (on McCormick just north of Golf). Evanston Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl, and Comet, a C.A.R.E. adoptee, will act as Strut Grand Marshalls.

The Strut registration booth will open at 8:45 a.m. After Mayor Tisdahl and Comet's introduction,former C.A.R.E. dogs (and their people) will have a chance to pose for an Alumni Photo. Then at 9:30 a.m., people and dogs will begin the lively three-mile course to Dempster and back. The path will take them past the colorful artwork dotting Skokie’s Northshore Sculpture Park.

If previous years are any guide, participants will be bundled up against Chicago’s capricious spring weather.

After-Strut entertainment will include the popular Doggie Carnival, dog training demos and a number of booths sponsored by dog-related organizations. And as always, there will be plenty of refreshments for humans and canines.

Sponsors of C.A.R.E.’s 2012 Strut will include Mary Summerville of Jameson|Sotheby’s Realty, Dr. Julia Weertman, DDS, Wendy DeCarlo and The Dog Obedience Group, and Evanston Subaru in Skokie.

A pledge of $30 guarantees entry and a goodie bag, while a pledge of $50 guarantees entry, a Strut T-shirt and goodie bag. Last year’s event raised some $14,000 for C.A.R.E. coffers. The funds are used for the shelter’s daily operations, including food, medical care, adoption outreach and more.

Strut For Strays details:

WHO IS INVITED
Fun-loving people, with or without a four-footed canine companion. Although cats and other pets are not allowed, you can run or walk in honor of a favorite animal friend.

WHERE IS THE WALK?
The walk starts at the Ladd Arboretum in Evanston, near the corner of McCormick Blvd & Bridge Street. Parking is available in the Arboretum lot (or on side streets if the lot is full). Do not park in the Ecology Center lot. Walk through the Rotary Friendship Garden to the Arboretum. Look for the white tents.

The walk follows the path along the North Shore Channel south almost to Dempster Street where there will be a water station and a turn-around point. However, you may turn around at any point if your dog is tired or your feet are barkin'! Come back to the start point for refreshments and the Doggie Carnival!

EVENT ACTIVITIES
After you complete the course, catch the fun at the finish line including:
• Free Refreshments
• Doggie Carnival

THE DATE
Saturday, May 12, 2012  (rain or shine)

THE LOCATION
Ladd Arboretum
past the Rotary Friendship Garden
2024 McCormick Boulevard
(across from Ecology Ctr)
between Emerson/Golf Rd. and Greenbay Rd.
Parking at the Arboretum Parking Lot and on side streets (please do not park at the Ecology Center)

You can find full details, and download the Strut registration form, online at Strut For Strays.

You can also keep up-to-date about Strut preparations at C.A.R.E.'s Facebook page.