By ROBERT LINNEHAN
Man’s best friend descended upon John Connolly Park this past weekend to celebrate all things canine, as the sixth annual 2011 Voorhees Animal Orphanage Wag n’ Walk event set a record for attendance and raised several thousand dollars for the orphanage.
Dogs frolicked, sniffed, and barked at each other as their “owners” walked them through the event.
Bruce Compton, board president of the VAO, said the event was the most well attended of the six Wag n’ Walks. More than 150 people came to John Connolly Park to share the love of their animals with their fellow dog owners.
“We’ve had wonderful attendance today at the Wag n’ Walk. It’s great to see so many of the dogs that we’ve adopted out come back here today,” he said. “It’s one of the most well attended Wag n’ Walks we’ve had.”
Compton said that more than $5,000 had been raised for the VAO through online donations. He also pointed to a small satchel on the side of his six-year-old Great Dane, Cash, which contained several donations from visitors at the event. Cash — easily the largest dog at the event — is the official mascot of the VAO.
Many dogs that were adopted over the years from VAO came back to the event. Blaze, a 12-year-old pit and husky mix, showed off a Philadelphia Flyers t-shirt as he led around his owner Judy Hutnik. The frisky dog was adopted from the VAO in 2006, Hutnik said, and has been nothing but a joy at her home.
Amy and Dan Bash showed off their golden retriever, Sophie, a two-year-old adopted dog. Amy Bash said she and her husband support any group that makes animal adoption a priority.
“We are absolute dog lovers. We believe in the benefits of rescuing and adoption for these dogs,” Amy said. “She’s just an absolute joy to have.”
The event featured vendors, refreshments and pets for adoption. The annual pet contest featured categories including the best-dressed pet, best kisser, biggest dog, cutest dressed pet couple, smallest dog, best pet trick, and longest ears.
Each year the animal orphanage takes in nearly 1,500 abandoned, unwanted, stray and owner relinquished animals. In 2009, the Animal Orphanage rescued 275 adoptable animals from high kill shelters along the east coast.
Usually the shelter cares for about 150 to 200 animals on a daily basis, according to representatives. The orphanage includes an animal shelter and adoption center, a mandatory spay and neuter program, volunteer opportunities and humane education classes for school children and the general public, according to the group’s Web site.
For more information on the VAO and its programs please call 609–743–6444 or e-mail christinetodd19@aol.com. Or, visit the group’s Web site at www.theanimalorphanage.com.
