Stride for Strays

By Yvonne Darling

Tampa's seventh annual Stride for Strays drew a huge crowd, greeted by blue skies that provided the perfect backdrop for the outdoor fundraiser.

Al Lopez Park played host to the Oct. 13 event to raise money for and promote awareness of local spay and neuter services.

Former sports anchor Dick Crippen emceed the event, which featured a dog costume contest and several local vendors.

The nonprofit Animal Coalition of Tampa (ACT) organizes Stride and received support this year from sponsors such as pet supply chain PETCO, Publix Super Markets and the Tampa Tribune newspaper. As part of the event, teams of walkers competed to raise money and earn the Golden Bone Award.

ACT operates a clinic that provides low-cost spaying and neutering to help reduce the number of homeless animals killed each year in the Tampa Bay area. According to the group, nearly 30,000 companion animals were euthanized in Hillsborough County and 15,000 in nearby Pinellas County in 2006.

“The two biggest reasons people don’t get their pets spayed or neutered is cost and accessibility,” said Linda Hamilton, ACT's executive director. ACT's clinic has helped to sterilize about 5,000 cats and dogs since its opening about a year ago, according to the group.

Stride, ACT's major fundraiser, raised $30,000 last year. Organizers had hoped to raise $60,000 this year.

As for the costume contest, the Best Dressed title went to a "Pirates of the Caribbean" costume-clad golden retriever.

For more pictures from this event click here

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