ENCINITAS, Calif. — There’s an old saying about having done something four times and needing “One for the Thumb.” Here it is! The Fifth annual “5K Paw Walk in the Garden” will take place on Saturday, February 18, 2017 from 8 AM until noon. Your Rancho Coastal Humane Society (RCHS) and the San Diego Botanic Garden (SDBG) are joining paws to raise funds that support people, plants, and pets.

“Saturday seems to be the day when more people in San Diego County walk their dogs than any other day,” according to Nick Winfrey, RCHS Vice President of Planning and Development. “The 5K Paw Walk in the Garden gives them an opportunity to do something they’re already planning to do. But this is the only day of the year when they can walk with their pets through the historic San Diego Botanic Garden.”

Sam Beukema is Education and Events Manager for the Garden. Sam says, “We started joking about it, but it’s become true. The 5K Paw Walk in the Garden is the walk that every dog is begging to go on. One walker told us that her dog gets excited every time they drive by the entrance to the Botanic Garden. Dogs love it here!”

Walkers can cover the full 5 kilometer / 3.1 mile course, but that’s optional. It’s not competitive. You don’t need a dog or other animal to participate.

You can see the course from a dog’s eye view. We put a camera on a dog and walked him through the Garden. It’s a great perspective. https://vimeo.com/195553612

There will be pet products, food (for people), treats (for dogs), information and displays for animal lovers, a pet first aid station, and (of course) dogs! Registered walkers will have full access to San Diego Botanic Garden until 2:00.

There are only a few rules. Here are the main ones:

*           Dogs must be kept on leash at all times.
*           No leashes longer than 6 feet (including retractable leashes.)
*           No dogs in heat.
*           Owners must clean up after their dog.
*           Limit two dogs per person. Really. We mean it. No more than two per person.
*           Dogs must be up to date on vaccinations.

Register for the Fifth Annual 5K Paw Walk in the Garden online at www.sdpets.org or www.sdbgarden.org. Day of event registration starts at 7:30 AM and the first paw crosses the starting line at 9:00.

More information about the 5K Paw Walk in the Garden is available at RCHS at 389 Requeza Street or SDBG at 230 Quail Gardens Drive in Encinitas.

–San Diego Botanic Garden

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