Mutts Strut Their Stuff At PAWS Fundraiser

By John McDevitt

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – An annual fundraiser for a Philadelphia animal rescue organization was held Saturday inside the Philadelphia Navy Yard.

It’s called the “Mutt Strut.” A couple thousand people and their pooches participated in a 1.5 mile walk to raise money for the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society — or PAWS.

“PAWS is Philadelphia’s largest rescue organization,” says executive director Melissa Levy, “and we are totally donor-funded, so every animal that we save and find a home for depends on the generosity of our supporters.

(Credit: John McDevitt)

She says the event gets bigger and raises a little bit more money each year:

“That money is used all year long to save the animals who are waiting for us.”

Saturday’s event featured food trucks, vendors and a canine costume contest.

John Harrington of South Philly and his girlfriend, Allison Gelcius, brought their Beagles Bandit and Copper along dressed as a hamburger and hot dog.

“This is the Halloween costume,” John says. “Choices that we went with they just fit their personalities and shapes and sizes.”

John and Allison with Bandit and Copper. (Credit: John McDevitt)

A couple dozen dogs looking for forever homes were also there.

Louise of South Philadelphia went home with a 13 week puppy named Sox:

“I was little nervous cause of being a puppy, but I couldn’t walk away from him. I just had to take him.”

Many other dogs were adopted on the spot.