Riverside Humane Society Pet Adoption Center's 18th Annual Walk With The Animals Takes Place March 20

Online, March 3, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Riverside Humane Society Pet Adoption Center (RHSPAC) will hold its 18th Annual Walk With The Animals on Saturday, March 20, from 8:00 a.m. to noon at Fairmount Park (band shell area) in Riverside, CA. The event is free and open to the public.

The two-mile pledge walk around Lake Evans steps off at 9:00 a.m. led by Grand Marshal Chris Cabral of The Muttley Crew of Whittier, CA. The Muttley Crew agility and disc dogs are perennial crowd pleasers at the event. Those participating in the Walk are encouraged to collect pledges to sponsor their effort.

In addition to the walk, there will be food, K9 entertainment, KOLA 99.9's Prize Caravan, talented pet and pet/owner look-alike contests, prize drawings, bake sale and boutique for people and pets, exhibits, breed rescue groups, and more for all ages. Riverside County Dept. of Animal Services will offer low-cost rabies vaccinations for dogs.

Pledge forms are available at www.firstgiving.com/petsadoption (click on Get Started), by calling 951-688-4340 x307, or at the Pet Adoption Center, 6165 Industrial Ave., Riverside. The center's open Tues.-Fri. 10-7, Sat. and Sun. 10-5.

The top pledge collector will win a Saturday night stay for two in a suite and Sunday brunch at the Historic Mission Inn in Riverside. Second prize is Sunday brunch at the inn. The top business and school teams each will be recognized with a commemorative brick installed in the Celebration Walkway at the Pet Adoption Center.

Everyone attending the event is invited to bring their dogs, or cats, provided the animals are at least four months old, friendly towards animals and people, vaccinated, wearing a license and ID tag, and on a six-foot or shorter leash or in a stroller/carrier. Free pet poop bags, water for pets and people, and first aid for pets will be available.

RHSPAC thanks the following sponsors for their support of the 18th Annual Walk With The Animals. Presenting sponsors: City of Riverside Parks, Recreation and Community Services Dept., Jan Peterson Child Development Center, KOLA 99.9, Mary S. Roberts Foundation, McDonald's University Ave., Merial/Frontline, NaturVet, The OC Dog, Raincross Veterinary Services, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, and Starbucks. Supporting sponsors: Burrtec Waste Industries, Inlandsocal.com/pets, Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, Levi's Landscaping, PETCO, and Security Bank of California.