Walk 2 Miles 2 Save Lives: Staten Island

This past weekend, Dog Spotted’s First Annual Walk 2 Miles 2 Save Lives Walk-A-Thon kicked off with a bang! On the first day, the incoming storm spared New York City dog parents, and those who braved the weather were rewarded with sunshine and a side of clouds!

Saturday, where we met at the Great Lawn gazebo nice and early for a morning pack walk. Fifteen humans and six dogs started the walk with coffee and leashes in hand and walked one mile down the Boardwalk along the scenic ocean shore and back. Halfway through, the pups grabbed a hydration break by the sea turtle fountain, and some of the dogs took advantage of the chance to cool off in the sprinklers! We converged back at the gazebo where Roseann of Near and Far Animal Foundation volunteered to keep watch over the raffle prizes and swag bags.

Four dog lovers won incredible raffle baskets by Animal Health Group, a local veterinary practice, Rescue Lights, a handmade home goods creator, Amy’s Pet Palace, a local grooming salon, Hearts of New York, a dog treat baker, and Amy and Meeko Gibbs of Ruff Life Media, a dog mom influencer and children’s book author.

Every walker received a swag bag full of goodies valued at over $40! Some of the highlights were Brutus Broth Biscuits and Brutus on the Go sticks, Evercare Pet Rollers, Lucky Dog Design Co. vinyl stickers, Ring and Run Dog Walkers tote bags, SugarSkinn paw balms, and Dog Mom Influencer Amy and Meeko Gibbs of Ruff Life Media sticker packs.

I was blown away by the generosity and support of our sponsors and walkers! When I was approached to be a team captain, I jumped at the opportunity to support my favorite animal welfare organization, Near and Far Animal Foundation (NAFAF). NAFAF makes a difference in the lives of animals locally and abroad, particularly in remote and impoverished parts of the world. Volunteers work hard to rescue and rehabilitate animals that are neglected, abused, and diseased, and the US dollar goes incredibly far to pay for life-saving medical treatments, food and water, and refuge.

Here is just an example of how a few dollars can save a dog’s life:

• $10 = 1 month supply of food for 1 dog
• $20 = spay/neuter procedure for 1 dog
• $25 = mange/scabies treatment for 1 dog
• $125 = total cost of chemotherapy for 1 dog
• $1,000 = 1 month supply of food for 100 dogs

The foundation also advocates that all animals have the right to live and get medical attention, food, and shelter. NAFAF takes it even a step further with their commitment to helping animals see the beauty of life after experiencing suffering and neglect. Our walk raised several hundred dollars for NAFAF and it goes to show that walking for a good cause can really make a big impact. Cody and I often walk on the Staten Island Boardwalk, but walking with a pack of dog lovers to support animal rescues was amazing. It’s a really great feeling when you bring together people passionate about their own dogs and saving animals. We look forward to staying connected to our Staten Island Dog Crew!

Walk 2 Miles 2 Save Lives is a nationwide walk-a-thon event dedicated to fundraising for rescue organizations and shelters. Those that decide to participate in the walk donate a fee (minimum $20, $10 per mile) to walk for rescues and are encouraged to invite their dog lover friends to sponsor them along the way. The funds will be distributed accordingly between each dog rescue organization and raise awareness for the amazing work they do and the importance of adopting.

Stay tuned for more Walk-a-thon news and events happening through August 29th!