Furry friends and their owners can each get some exercise while raising money for the Andalusia Area Humane Society (AAHS) at this Saturday’s “Fifth Annual Deep South Doggie Dash & Strut Your Mutt Walk.”

The event is held at the nature trail on the Lurleen B. Wallace Community College campus and includes a leisurely “Strut Your Mutt Walk” for adults and their pets, and “Doggie Dash Races” for children younger than 13. A free fall photo and Doggie Dash T-shirt are included with the $30 registration fee, and this year owners can walk as many animals as they desire as long as each pet has its own leash. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., with the event starting shortly after.

“We are just trying to encourage people to come and do something outdoors with their pets, and also give them a chance to raise money for the Humane Society,” said AAHS president Jennifer Reese.

Reese said the fund-raiser could not have come at a more perfect time, as the AAHS is “critically low” on funding. As a result, the AAHS has temporarily halted its adoption program and low-cost spay/neuter program.

“There are a lot of people who used those programs, and we’re just trying to build up our money flow again,” she said.

Event participants will have the opportunity to win special awards. The top three finishers in each of the children’s races will receive medals, and there will be prizes for the best dog costume and best dog/owner look-alike. There will also be a special award for the “Doggie Dash Hero” who raises the most money for the AAHS.

“It’s kind of like what they do in the Relay for Life,” Reese said of the “Doggie Dash Hero” competition. “We’ve asked those who are going to do the Doggie Dash to find people who are willing to sponsor their walk Saturday. Whichever person raised the most money from their family and friends will get the special ‘Doggie Dash Hero’ award.”

Reese said most participants have already pre-registered, but people are still welcome to register Saturday morning as well. Dogs must be leashed and current with their vaccinations.

For more information about the Doggie Dash or the AAHS, call Reese at 488-5155 or Patty Singleton-Seay at 427-3508.