One of the biggest fundraisers of the year for the Friends of the St. Joseph Animal Shelter is coming up next weekend.

Whitney Zoghby with the Friends of the Animal Shelter said runners and walkers and their dogs are invited to the event.

“I’d say a majority of the people that participate are walkers and they bring their dog along with them or multiple dogs with them so it’s a lot of fun because, sort of like 101 Dalmatians, where you see the owner and the dog they bring along, the personalities, all the different breeds and sizes,” Zoghby said. “Everybody walks or runs from the ice arena area all the way up to Bartlett Park and then back down along the sidewalk.”

Zoghby said the Run/Walk for the Paws 5K usually raises about $15,000 and this year’s funds will be going toward the Wags to Wishes Capital Campaign.

“Friends of the Shelter is currently fundraising to purchase and renovate a building that we’re going to be putting the St. Joseph Animal Shelter. It’s 5909 Corporate Drive… and it’s just a great building that we’re really excited about the potential for,” Zoghby said. “It’s much larger than our current shelter with over two acres of space, so lots of room to expand and make it exactly what our community needs and our shelter animals deserve.”

The Run/Walk for the Paws 5K will start at 9 a.m. on April 7th, in the parking lot across from Bode Ice Arena.

Registration is available online through April 4th or in-person registration is available an hour before the race.

For more details about race day activities, go to the Run/Walk for the Paws Facebook page.