Why I Walk for the Animals

Posted on September 28, 2012

by Holly L. Wolfe

This year will mark the 22nd year for the Walk for the Animals, Delaware Humane Association’s biggest fundraiser of the year. This is my fourth year participating in the Walk, and it’s my biggest personal fundraising effort every year, too.

Two of my four cats found their temporary homes at DHA before they found their forever home with me. Seymore was abandoned by his owners on a vet visit, and Tango’s owner passed away, leaving him to fend for himself alone until DHA came to the rescue. DHA’s dedicated staff and volunteers took them in, giving them the chance to have a better life in a new home (with me!).

I am grateful for the work that DHA does every single day, and because of this, I try to help out DHA in all the ways that I can, serving on the Board of Directors, attending events, and fundraising.

It’s easy to ask for money when the cause is homeless animals. I promote the Walk for Animals at my workplace, through friends and via social media. I hang small posters, promote the event via Facebook and Twitter and set up a fundraising page through FirstGiving.

FirstGiving is a wonderful tool for fundraising as everything is electronic and donations can be made anonymously or in a pet’s name. Receipts for donations are also given electronically, making things really easy for donors at tax time. I will usually make the first donation on my fundraising page in Seymore’s name, letting him kick things off—it really encourages others to donate as well.

Our cats don’t walk in the Walk for the Animals, but we bring our dog Torin and encourage all of our friends to attend and bring their own dogs. The day is a lot of fun and everyone can feel really good knowing that their participation makes a difference in the life of a homeless pet.

Hope to see you there!

To learn more about the Walk, fundraising, and how to register visit dehumane.org/walk4animals or contact DHA at events@dehumane.org or (302) 571-8171 x307.