Joanne Page and Samantha Deffler play with 3- to 4-month-old Lucille, an APS pup up for adoption
Duke University’s East Campus was positively packed with pooches this past Saturday, as community members, local businesses, sponsors and more came out to the 2012 Walk for the Animals fundraiser to support the Animal Protection Society of Durham, a nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about the humane care, treatment and well-being of all animals; helping stop pet overpopulation through the promotion of spay/neuter programs; and finding suitable adoptive homes for the animals in their care.
The day kicked off with a welcome from ABC11 anchor Larry Stogner and Maria Hernandez, the director of development at APS, followed by an agility demo, pet contests, an APS animal showcase, and a visit from Durham County Sheriff’s K-9 Deputy Dreyfus, the 2012 Walk Ambassador who led the mile-and-a-half walk around East Campus.
After the walk, there were more pet contests and agility demos, as well as a Flyball demonstration. The fundraising champions were announced at the end of the event and included Carver Street Animal Hospital as the top Vets in Action team, Dogma and the Doggie Divas as the top Pet Power team, and Lakewood Montessori Middle School as the top Youth team. Individuals Barbara Barron, Mark Holt and Aura Heine took third, second and first place, respectively, in fundraising totals. Numbers are still being tallied, but so far more than $60,000 has been raised from the fundraiser.
