Over 800 dog lovers and their furry friends gathered on Saturday, October 5 at the Navy Yard to celebrate the 18th Annual Mutt Strut—Philadelphia’s biggest fall festival for dogs and the people who love them. With more than $138,000 raised, this year’s event was a resounding success, achieving the second-highest fundraising total in Mutt Strut history. Proceeds benefit the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), the city’s largest rescue partner and provider of affordable veterinary care, whose mission is to make Philadelphia a city where every savable pet is guaranteed a home.

Attendees enjoyed a beautiful fall day, with hundreds of dogs showcasing their Halloween costumes as they walked through the festival grounds. Over 40 vendors were on hand, so the festival offered a variety of shopping opportunities, in addition to live entertainment, a beer garden by Dock Street Brewery, and other dog-friendly games and activities for attendees and their four-legged companions. The event was made possible thanks to the dedication of PAWS staff and 140 volunteers, whose hard work ensured a smooth and enjoyable experience for all.

Funds raised at the Mutt Strut will support PAWS’ lifesaving programs, including low-cost veterinary care for community pets and rescue and adoption of homeless animals. With alarmingly high numbers of stray and surrendered pets entering the city shelter daily, loving adoptive homes provide critical space for animals whose lives depend on it. Dogs like Johnny Cash (below) are waiting for their perfect match. Johnny is a resilient 1.5-year-old who has made remarkable progress in foster care after suffering multiple injuries. Once scared and shut down, he’s now a fun-loving, sweet dog who is eager to please once he feels safe. Johnny is looking for a calm, patient family who will appreciate his shy nature and continue to help him heal.

Funds raised at the Mutt Strut will also support PAWS’ Safety Net programs, which provide crucial assistance to Philadelphia pet owners. Ashantia, who unexpectedly lost her pet-friendly housing, found an alternative to surrendering her pets at PAWS. Instead of saying goodbye permanently, Ashantia was able to keep her beloved pets through the Safety Net foster program. This initiative prevents pets from entering shelters and serves as a lifeline for pet owners who need some time to get through a difficult period. After Ashantia’s beloved pets spent several weeks safe in foster care, the four were reunited and are now happy at home together.

PAWS is 100% donor-funded, so as the organization continues providing the resources Philadelphia pet owners need, while also rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming animals who enter shelters and have nowhere else to go, fundraising initiatives like the Mutt Strut play a vital role. PAWS sincerely thanks everyone who attended, supported, and volunteered at the event, making the 18th Annual Mutt Strut not just a memorable day, but one that will continue positively impacting animals and people in need all year long.

“The success of this year’s Mutt Strut is a testament to the dedication and generosity of our entire community. From our incredible volunteers to the sponsors, vendors, and attendees who came out to enjoy that beautiful day together, their support has made a direct impact on Philadelphia’s most vulnerable pets,” says Melissa Levy, PAWS’ executive director. “We are deeply grateful to everyone who helped make it one of our most successful events yet. Together, we are changing lives and moving Philadelphia closer to becoming a no-kill city.”

To check out a fantastic video coverage of the 18th annual Mutt Strut by CBS’s Eva Anderson, click here. To view more photos from the Mutt Strut, please visit our Mutt Strut photo albums here!