The 2020 Furry 5K is fast approaching on August 16, and our Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation Board and volunteers have been hard at work making sure this year’s first-ever virtual event is a success. Learn more about what this annual FUNdraiser means to them and how YOU can help raise funds for Seattle Animal Shelter animals.
How have you participated in Furry 5K in years past, and what does the event mean to you?
I’ve fostered over a dozen cats in the past 4 years. Fundraising events like the Furry 5K afford my foster cats to get the medical care they needed. Thanks to Furry 5K participants, I know pets in need of help will keep getting the care they need until they find their forever homes.
— Katy Thweatt, Marketing Co-Chair
Running in the Furry 5K has been a family tradition for 5 years! I am excited to participate in a whole new way this year, walking with my 10-year-old lab and newly adopted 10-year-old dachshund mix on the Burke-Gilman Trail. Go #Furry5K!
— Emily Rondestvedt, Auction Co-Chair
I was fairly new to Seattle when a friend invited me to the Furry 5K a few years ago. It was my first introduction to all of the really important work that the Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS) does in the area… Little did I know that SAS and the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation were about to be a huge part of my life over the following years! I loved the idea of being part of an animal-loving community, and started volunteering for the foundation shortly after. I’m now on my second year of the Board.
— Krystle Gomez, Governance Co-Chair
This is my first Furry 5K! With us moving virtual, it’s been an opportunity to think about ways we can get those who are not runners — and even not in Seattle — supporting this important fundraising initiative.
— Sarah Yacoub, Marketing Co-Chair
After learning about SAS and the foundation, I became a volunteer for the Furry 5K in June 2017. Fast forward to October… I saw a volunteer board member position was open for the foundation. I applied, interviewed and now I’m in my third year of my 3-year term as a Board member. It means a lot each year to see people from all walks of life coming out to support animals by walking, running or even riding (strollers, wheel chairs) to the finish line. Everyone having a good time while supporting a cause they believe in is just really awesome to witness.
—Tiffany Daily, Secretary & Governance Co-Chair
I’ve participated in the Furry 5K since 2017, after I first became involved with SAS through a capstone project in grad school. The event is a fun day where you get to be surrounded by hundreds of dogs and their owners who are supporting the shelter through their participation. It’s always wonderful to see the sheer number of people who sign up, because I know we’re all coming together to help save Seattle’s animals.
— Cassie Ballering, Development Committee
I have participated in seven Furry 5K runs: twice as a runner/walker, and five times as an SASF Board member — which means volunteering before, during and after the Furry 5K.
— Sue Boivin, Board President
This is my first year! I’m excited to participate.
— Sarah Coppock, Auction Co-Chair
I’ve volunteered for the last three years — every year since I moved to Seattle. I’ve never been involved in an event that brings such joy to participants, runners and walkers, as well as the incredible causes that the Furry 5K supports. When I first saw the runners, walkers, dogs and cats (!) all having such a great time, I was hooked!
— Richard Todd, Development Committee
Now that the Furry 5K is going virtual this year, how do you plan to participate? Will your pet(s) be joining you?
I’m going to be walking the 5K with a foster dog from Seattle Animal Shelter! My cat is getting to an advanced age and HATES her harness, so I might chase her in circles at home for 5K… or I might just give her treats. I’m also running a fundraising team at my work.
— Richard
I will take a long hike with my pups and make sure that I have my mask on and practice social distancing. We are thinking of a lake hike so that we can pack a lunch and the dogs can get to cool off. My cat might not be in the mood for a hike, but the dogs will be so happy!
— Sue
I’m finding a neighborhood I don’t regularly walk in and exploring some new sites! I’ve tried putting Mimi, my current foster cat, in a cat leash. It hasn’t gone well so far so she’ll most likely be cheering me on from home.
— Katy
I’m planning on running 5k or more with my dog Daphne (we’ve been training!) and raising money for SASF through my personal fundraising page. I told my friends and family I would running an extra 1k for every $20 donated above $100.
— Sarah C-P.
I will be social distance running with a friend and her dog in our neighborhood during the week of the event.
— Cassie
Steve, my rescue mix and I will walk, probably slowly for 5K; Steve is nine so he’s not much of a runner. I’ll be lucky to get him off the couch for the walk!
— Sarah Y.
Ginger (my adopted pup) and I will enjoy a leisurely 5K around Green Lake! She likes to stop and smell all the spots and we may stop for a puppuccino from Starbucks en route. Ginger may be tiny, but she loves her walks!
— Krystle
Ginger (my adopted pup) and I will enjoy a leisurely 5K around Green Lake! She likes to stop and smell all the spots and we may stop for a puppuccino from Starbucks en route. Ginger may be tiny, but she loves her walks!
— Krystle
What tips do you have for reaching out to networks, friends and family for team fundraising?
Every dollar helps, so when I reach out to friends and family, I let them know that any amount is appreciated. I’ve found most people are happy to give for a great cause!
— Krystle
Share your support for the Furry 5K on social media — and like, comment on and share what SASF is posting on their pages. The more awareness we can bring to the event, the more money we can raise to help dogs, cats and critters.
— Sarah Y.
Provide them with a personal story of why you support SAS/SASF and why it would mean so much for them to contribute funds to your team.
— Cassie
I share how the Seattle Animal Shelter has helped my pets personally. One of my foster cats, Barley, needed two radioactive iodine treatments for hyperthyroidism. He was able to get the care he needed without the shelter having to consider cost.
— Katy
Don’t be shy. Know that every dollar raised helps save homeless and abandoned animals in Seattle. There are so many that need our support right now. Let them know that you are part of a community of passionate folks that want to make a difference in the lives of Seattle homeless animals. Together we can give deserving animals a second chance at happiness, love and finding their forever home! Everyone is welcome, and we want everyone to be a part of this life changing work.
— Sue
I like to email family and friends individually, and personalize my outreach to each person based on my relationship with them.
— Sarah C-P.
Reach out! Ask! Show them the work of the Foundation and the shelter. It’s a great event — people will thank you for getting them involved.
— Richard
Why is supporting the Furry 5K so important for SASF?
The Furry 5K is one of our two big fundraisers each year. With all that’s gone on in 2020, we expect the shelter to support more pets and pet owners than ever in upcoming months. With money raised from this event, we ensure that cats, dogs and critters have a safe space to heal and await their forever families.
— Katy
Supporting Furry 5K is important because it’s a great opportunity to raise crucial funds for dogs, cats and critters in our community. It’s also an opportunity for more people to learn about SASF and the amazing work the organization does.
— Sarah C-P.
Furry 5K is really all about bringing the community together to help animals in need. This year, I think we can all use a little positivity and (socially distanced) togetherness… and exercise! That’s a win, win, win — all in support of animals who really need our help.
— Krystle
With so much uncertainty and challenges in today’s current environment, this is one way we can demonstrate what remains important to many of us. Non-profit organizations face completely new challenges in 2020, so supporting events like Furry 5K help ensure continuity of service to Seattle’s animals.
— Sarah Y.
This event is important for raising funds to save the lives of animals in Seattle, and also a great way to show your community support. The Furry 5k is an annual event and it not only allows us to share stories about ways that SASF has helped animals in the community, but showcases our sponsors and gives them the opportunity to promote their local businesses.
— Cassie
It raises vital funds for animals in our community who need help. It brings Seattle animal lovers together (virtually or otherwise). It’s an excuse to get outside in the summer and work off that ice cream!
— Richard
Furry 5K is such a beloved community event for such a noble cause. It is one of three major fundraising events that SASF puts on every year to ensure that the Seattle Animal Shelter has enough funds to continue to do their good work — which is to save as many lives as possible. This event ensures every animal that enters SAS is treated as an individual and has everything it needs for a chance at lasting happiness — including medical care, training, a soft place to land, protection from abusive and cruel situations, and of course love, understanding and patience.
— Sue
There’s still time to join other animal lovers in the Seattle area to raise money for the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation. Register your team today for this year’s virtual Furry 5K on August 16.