Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society celebrates 20th annual Mutt Strut

On Oct. 3, creative costumes and wagging tails filled the Navy Yard during the 20th annual Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society Mutt Strut. The event featured many dog-centered activities including an agility course, pet portrait station, enrichment games, Lure 101 and the highly competitive costume contest. Human companions enjoyed beer from Dock Street Brewery and snacks from a variety of food truck vendors.

All proceeds from the annual event support PAWS’ programs, including affordable veterinary care, a spay and neuter clinic, care for adoptable animals and temporary foster services for pet parents in difficult situations. This year, more than 800 participants attended the event, raising over $140,000 — $20,000 more than the organization’s fundraising goal.

“PAWS, at our core, is the city’s largest rescue partner and provider of low-cost vet care,” says Cory Topel, PAWS communications and grants manager. “We also work to ensure that pet owners across the city have the resources they need to keep their pets home with them where they belong.”

PAWS staff members raised $87,000 toward this year’s event, while the PAWS volunteer team raised another $11,000.

Led by several Mummers, attendees enjoyed a 1.5-mile strut through the Navy Yard. Many humans developed family-themed costumes, joining their pets in creative regalia. The Williams family and their pup Cassie transformed into the characters from Scooby-Doo.

Matthew and Julianne of South Philly coordinated their costumes with their 3-year-old rescue Pitbull Terrier, Philomena. The happy white pup was adopted during the Mutt Strut last year. The family won the costume contest’s Best Comeback Costume, a nod to Philomena’s PAWS alumna status.

“We met her and I didn’t know we were going to adopt,” says Julianne. “We sat at the beer garden and said, ‘I guess we’re doing this.’ It is crazy how well she fits into our lives.”

Philomena is a fan of small businesses in South Philly. Restaurant owners frequently greet her with French fries or a bacon snack simply because she is so friendly.

Many dogs wore food-related costumes, including hotdogs, baked potatoes and even a pair of pups dressed as the infamous cyclosporiasis lettuce tacos.

For dogs looking to burn off some of their post-strut energy, Lure 101 offered an enclosed area where pups could chase a fast-moving lure around the perimeter. Other dogs rolled happily in the grass, investigated the many smells of the Navy Yard and made new friends, both canine and human.

There was plenty of practical support for the four-legged attendees, too. Water bowls were scattered throughout the event, while poop bags were readily available. A pet grooming van was also onsite for dogs in need of a little post-adventure pampering.

The event included plenty of opportunities for dogs to play for prizes. In one canine version of musical chairs, pups had to sit on the ground when the music stopped. The dogs’ humans cheered them on as they competed for prizes.

Eight adoptable dogs attended this year’s event. Ken Doll, a 7½-year-old mixed breed pup, was eager to meet potential adopters while relaxing in the grass and enjoying all the interesting smells. Oggie’s Doggies in Passyunk Square offered a month of free doggy daycare to any family who adopted a dog during this year’s Strut.

For Topel, one of the most rewarding parts of Mutt Strut is watching families return year after year and seeing how those families grow and change.

The annual event has become a tradition for many Philadelphia families, bringing together longtime PAWS supporters, first-time attendees, rescue dogs and their humans for a day centered around animals and the people who love them.

And, of course, there were plenty of Eagles dogs in attendance. Because even the pups know it’s football season in Philadelphia. ••