Pup Crawl 2021 gathers many dogs and humans to support homeless animals

Pup Crawl 2021 gathers many dogs and humans to support homeless animals

Every summer, downtown Valparaiso sees the annual Pup Crawl hosted by Lakeshore PAWS. It is one of Lakeshore PAWS’ largest fundraisers and it allows everyone in town to join in to help the local organization.

Pup Crawl 2021

Pup Crawl 2021 89 Photos
Pup Crawl 2021Pup Crawl 2021Pup Crawl 2021Pup Crawl 2021

Jessica Gnemi, a volunteer at Lakeshore PAWS, helps the organization with all of the deep cleaning to keep the animals and people healthy.

“This is one of the biggest fundraising events,” Gnemi said. “It helps draw in a lot of the funds for medical costs to help save more dogs and bring more dogs in that need medical care.”

The Pup Crawl takes place in Central Park Plaza, with a band playing on the stage—this year’s band was the Crawpuppies—and vendors at the William E. Urschel Pavilion and on Lafayette Street.

“It’s an opportunity for all the dog lovers to come downtown,” said Board Member and Treasurer at Lakeshore PAWS, Paul Kohlhoff. “We have a parade with the dogs through the town, there’s a beer garden, food, vendors, and music later on. It’s really a fun event for us and we look forward to it every year.”

Dogs roam around the park with their humans in tow, sniffing every dog and plant they can find. A few small dogs sit in strollers or pouches held by their owners. There are also kiddie pools for the dogs to cool down in, as well as water bowls for them to drink from.

Some of the vendors sell treats and toys for the dogs, including fresh-baked cookies.

“This is our main fundraiser,” said Kohlhoff. “We have this every year, of course, last year we couldn’t have it. So we are excited to be back this year.”

The event would not be possible without its sponsors, including Century 21 Alliance Group, and vendors who are trying to help Lakeshore PAWS keep Region pets safe.

Jen Weeks, Lakeshore PAWS volunteer and dog foster guardian, and Nina Weeks, local 10-year-old and Lakeshore PAWS volunteer, attend the Pup Crawl almost every year. They have been volunteering for seven years.

“I really like seeing all the dogs and my most favorite thing about it is doing the puppy adoption days. Because I have a title in them, ‘The Puppy Matchmaker!’” Nina said while striking a triumphant pose.

Nina was only two when Jen began volunteering, but she is clearly happy with her mom’s volunteering.

“We actually adopted a dog from Lakeshore PAWS and the lady that was fostering her had a bunch of fosters in her house,” Jen said. “She had the coolest setup, and I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, I have to do that.’”

The Pup Crawl is beloved by the community, and by Lakeshore PAWS’ recurring volunteers. It feels like a small festival celebrating Lakeshore PAWS, but it has a deeper goal of helping get more dogs adopted. There is a Pet a Puppy area for attendees to meet some adoptable dogs, as well as dogs walking around with vests that read “Adopt Me,” all ready to be taken home.

“Behind Christmas and Halloween, this is my favorite day of the year,” said Jen. “I love that all of our fosters that we’ve had and dogs at the center come back and we get to see them just loved, happy, and well-adjusted. It’s just an amazing feeling.”

“We just get a great amount of people in that volunteer and are dedicated and really passionate about helping the dogs,” Gnemi said. “Really, I just keep coming back to help the dogs, it’s all about them.”

Gnemi’s sentiment is echoed by Lakeshore PAWS and every one of their volunteers. It truly is all about the dogs.

To learn more about Lakeshore PAWS work and future Pup Crawls visit, www.lakeshorepaws.org.

To learn more about 21 Century Alliance Group visit, https://www.21alliance.com/.