Registration is now open for the 14th Annual Paws in the Park dog walk and festival, one
of the largest dog walks in the DC area. As a signature special event of the Montgomery
County Humane Society, held in partnership with the City of Gaithersburg, it raises funds
to help homeless and abandoned animals throughout Montgomery County.

This year’s event will take place on Sunday, April 29, from noon to 4 p.m. at Bohrer
Park at Summit Hall Farm, 506 S. Fredrick Ave., Gaithersburg, MD, next to Gaithersburg
High School.

The fun-filled afternoon includes a 1-mile walk, pet games, demos, rescue groups,
a “flealess” market with over 50 pet-friendly vendors, food, music and more.

Registered walkers are encouraged to invite friends to support them through online
donations. Supporters can sign on individually or by forming a team that includes family
and friends, favorite breed groups, rescue organizations, companies, teams to honor or
remember a pet – even the family cat. Entrance fees are $20 for an individual or $35 for a
family.

To register and start fund-raising online, visit http://www.firstgiving.com/mchsmd.
Register before March 1 and be entered to win a $50 gift certificate to Addie’s
(Rockville) or Black’s (Bethesda) Restaurant. Participants also can register on-site the
day of the event.

Paws in the Park supports the Montgomery County Humane Society’s efforts to protect
and care for unwanted, abandoned and abused animals – everything from dogs, cats,
rabbits, and guinea pigs, to reptiles, birds and others. Contributions make a difference
in the animals’ lives as well as assist the people who love them. Programs include
life-saving medical care, off-site adoption events, animal rescue, pet retention and pet
bereavement workshops, foster homes, humane education, behavior advice, affordable
spay/neuter, and a network of approximately 200 partnering rescue groups.

(more)

About the Montgomery County Humane Society:
The Montgomery County Humane Society in Rockville, MD, is a nonprofit animal welfare
organization that has provided animal sheltering services for Montgomery County since 1958.
MCHS receives funds to operate the Montgomery County Animal Shelter under a grant from the
Montgomery County Government and from private donations. As the only full-service animal
shelter in the county, MCHS handled approximately 8,700 animals in FY2011, and, as an open
admission shelter, never turns an animal away. Programs and services include adoption, foster
care, lost and found, rescue, education, and volunteering. Visit www.mchumane.org to learn
more, or call 240-773-5960 option 4. Hours to visit with the animals are weekdays, noon-7
p.m., and weekends, noon-5 p.m.; closed Wednesdays.

About the City of Gaithersburg:
Located in the heart of Montgomery County, Gaithersburg became an incorporated City in
1878. With a population of just over 60,000, it is now one of the largest cities in Maryland.
Gaithersburg is an international center of biotechnology, and it boasts award winning schools,
neighborhoods and commercial developments. Its respect for its heritage, demonstrated by
the revitalization efforts in the Olde Towne residential and commercial district, coupled with
thoughtful planning for new communities, and a commitment to cultural, recreational and leisure
time activities, makes Gaithersburg the ideal place to live, work, learn, and play. For more
information please visit www.gaithersburgmd.gov.

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