You can go for a run or walk with your pet next weekend and help raise money for the new St. Joseph Animal Shelter building renovation.

The 5th Annual Run/Walk for the Paws 5K is one of the Friends of the St. Joseph Animal Shelter’s biggest fundraisers of the year.

“We usually raise between 10 and $15,000,” said Friends of the Shelter President Whitney Zoghby. “The money is all going to a great cause, money that we greatly need to purchase and renovate this new animal shelter on Corporate Drive.”

Zoghby said dogs are welcome at the event on April 13th.

“This is kind of a unique event in terms of 5Ks for the community, because we encourage you to bring your furry friends,” Zoghby said. “We generally have about 100 dogs that come, all different shapes and sizes, some that basically propel their owners to the finish line and others that have to be pushed in a stroller.”

Zoghby said anyone bringing their dog should have them on a leash and they require dogs to have their rabies vaccinations.

The event will also feature local vendors including a caricature artist drawing owners and their pets and Smoothie King offering smoothie samples for people and pets.

The Run/Walk for the Paws 5K begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 13th, at the parking lot across the street from Bode Ice Arena, 2500 Southwest Parkway.

For more information or to register, click here.