Frequently Asked Questions

What, when and where is Walk & Wag?

It's the greatest pup party of the year! Walk & Wag is Saturday, May 17th from 8am-1pm at Rolling Hills County Park in Ypsilanti. Register, fundraise for the animals, then celebrate your hard work on event day! Walk & Wag features a timed 5k race, 1 mile non-competitive fun walk, Kids' Dash and dog festival with games, activities, pet-themed vendors, food trucks, performances by the Super Collies and more.

Can I bring my pets?

Yes! Friendly, on-leash dogs are welcome. Dogs must be current on vaccinations, on a non-retractable leash, and not in heat. You are not required to bring vaccination proof with you, but must be able to produce proof in a reasonable amount of time if an incident occurs. Dogs are welcome to participate in the 5k run, 1 mile walk and the many dog-friendly games: the lure course, agility course, Pawparazzi Photo Booth, "bobbing for weenies" and more! You are responsible for your dogs' behavior and for cleaning up after them; waste bags will be provided throughout the park.

You are also welcome to bring cats and other pets to Walk & Wag, though please keep in mind that the event may be overwhelming for them depending on their personality. If you bring a cat or other small animal, we recommend keeping them in a stroller or other enclosed space. 

Are there any kids' activities?

Of course, it wouldn't be Walk & Wag without kids! Youth under 12 can register for FREE, participate in all event activities and earn an animal stuffie by raising at least $50 (which they will pick up at Walk & Wag). The Kids' Dash at 10:30am is a short sprint that ends with snacks and toys. To register a Youth, you must first complete an Adult registration. The form will then prompt you with the option of adding a Youth registration.

What does the 5k run look like, and what are the age brackets?

This is a professionally timed race. See the 5k course map here. Brackets for the 5K run are: Under 19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70+. Please check in at the Registration table no later than 8:30am, or come to the early registration event at HSHV on Friday, May 16th from 4-6pm. Every runner can pick up a medal after completing the race! We also distribute 3 overall winner prizes, to the top runner in the mens', womens' and nonbinary category. Race times/winners are posted at the Registration Pavilion after the race, and you can pick up your medals and prizes there as well.  

What if I can't attend, but still want to raise funds for the animals?

Attendance is not required! You can register online (as a "Cat Napper") and use the website tools to raise funds, help the animals and earn fundraising prizes.

Is there a registration fee?

Yes: Your registration fee helps us pay for the event, and kicks off your personal fundraising! A $39 Walker Registration includes a Walk & Wag bandana and access to all Walk & Wag activities, contests, entertainment and complementary snacks and beverages.

A $59 Runner Registration includes all of the above, plus a runner's medal, chipped timed race results with prizes for the top runners in each age bracket, and eligibility for a dri-fit athletic t-shirt milestone prize.

Youth under 12 attend for free! An adult must register first, and you will then be given the option to add Youth registrations to your account.

Do I have to register online?

Nope! You can also download our registration form, fill it out, and either mail it or drop it off in person (along with any donations you receive) at HSHV. Mail to Attn: Walk & Wag, 3100 Cherry Hill Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48105

Can I register for other people, like my kids? 

Yes! Youth under 12 may register for free. You must first fill out an Adult registration, then the form will prompt you with the option to add Youth registrations to your account. You may also register on behalf of friends and family, and they will receive an email confirmation. 

How do I fundraise?

We're with you every step of the way! When you register, you'll get a personal fundraising page to customize and email to friends, family, enemies, long-lost loves, anyone who loves animals! You can also post to social media, or fundraise offline. Find fundraising tips here, and check out the fundraising prizes you could win! 

What do my fundraising dollars support?

Walk & Wag raises critical funds for the Humane Society of Huron Valley's life-saving programs, including cruelty investigation, wildlife rescue, medical treatment for shelter animals, foster care, Love Train transports, our community pet food pantry, pet assistance for seniors, humane education and more! Plus, you earn prizes for your fundraising.

Will the company I work for match my donation? How? 

May companies do offer gift matching when their employees donate to charitable causes! Ask your HR department, and email us at development@hshv.org if you have any questions or need us to fill out any paperwork. You may need our full legal name and tax ID number: Humane Society of Huron Valley, 38-1474931. You can also ask anyone who donates to your page if their company will match their gift!

My friend said they donated, but I don't see it on my page.

No problem - please email development@hshv.org and we will find the donation! Donors may accidentally donate to the general event rather than a specific participant, but we can move the gifts to where they are supposed to be.

How do I turn in cash and check donations?

You may bring them with you to Walk & Wag, drop them off at our shelter or mail to: Humane Society of Huron Valley, Attn: Walk & Wag; 3100 Cherry Hill Road; Ann Arbor, MI 48105. Checks can be made out to "Humane Society of Huron Valley". If you drop off or mail cash/checks, please include a note with your name so that we know to add them to your fundraising page. If your donors would like a tax receipt, please make sure to include their full name plus mailing address or email.

How do I add cash and checks to my online total?

Log in to your Fundraising Dashboard, click "Donations" on the left hand side, then click "Add Cash or Check." Enter your donor's first and last name, or company name. Any other info is optional, but if they would like a tax receipt, please enter either an email or a mailing address. You can opt not to publicly display their gift amount or name, if they prefer.  

So I can win prizes for fundraising?

Yes! See the Prizes page for fundraising milestone prizes, plus the rewards for Top Individual, Top Team and Top Youth fundraisers! All donations must be submitted to HSHV by May 17th, 2025 to count toward your total. 

What is the raffle? And did I win a raffle prize?

The raffle is a major annual fundraiser, and we draw winners at Walk & Wag on May 17th! Check out the Prizes page for details. 

Where can I see photos that were taken at the event? How do I share photos I took?

You can post in our Walk & Waggers Group or upload pics to our online gallery!