Whether it’s a family tradition or a fun way to bond with coworkers, lifesaving is even more rewarding when you’re part of a team! Every year, Mutt Strutters raise thousands of critically needed dollars for Philly’s most vulnerable pets. We asked some of this year’s teams why they strut, and they had so much to share!

Penn Barkeologists and Lipurrians

“We all have been saved by our pets, one way or another”

Tell us about yourselves!
The Barkeologists & Lipurrians have grown from a collection of friends who shared pics of their pets at lunch time to a network of animal lovers and PAWS fans from all around Penn. Most of our crew come from the Penn Museum, the Penn Libraries, and the Penn School of Arts & Sciences. As a team, this will be our fifth year, we started attending in together in 2015. Each year, we add more puns to our team description, as our members grow.

Why do you strut? What’s your favorite part?
For us humans, I think it’s getting to meet so many adorable old and new dog friends, always looking their best 🙂 But based on the wails and wags from past years, our dog pals always loved the squirrel chase! You could hear Ace, Milo, and Lila howling to get to the front of the line from the other side of the river. Most of us have adopted from PAWS, are the godparents of PAWS pals, or volunteer with PAWS. The rest of our other furry teammates came from other shelters in the area. We strut because we all have been saved by our pets, one way or another. Team member Liza said it best: “I adopted senior Lorelei from PAWS and we lived happily ever after – since she is possibly the best life decision I’ve ever made.”

What’s your fundraising strategy?
Pictures and videos have always been effective: I love to post things from last year’s Mutt Strut to our work Slack and internal web message boards. We often get new team members that way. Ace also records special videos with a Part 1 to request supporting our team and a Part 2 thanking them. And after every strut, we make postcards for donors to hang on their fridge (to remind them to keep supporting our team and PAWS)! We can’t wait to strut!

Team Bella PAWS

“The Mutt Strut is a fun event that we will keep in our family tradition for a long time to come.”

Tell us about yourselves!
Team Bella Paws consists of me, my daughter, my boyfriend, my sister and my mom. We have been participating in the Mutt Strut since 2016. We participate as a team because we do this as a family tradition. It has been great for us. We love helping the homeless pets of Philly and all have had pets growing up. This gives us something to do together and a chance to do something we love to do: help fur babies find their forever homes!!

Why do you strut? What’s your favorite part?
We participate in the Mutt Strut because we are all huge animal lovers. We love how PAWS is a no kill shelter and how much they help this city, especially ACCT. Last year was our favorite Strut so far because we won best costume as a group. We were the “hospital crew.” We just love all the activities that PAWS offers! The Mutt Strut is a fun event that we will keep in our family tradition for a long time to come. Rescues are the best!

What’s your fundraising strategy?
We raise money by putting up flyers in all our work places.  A lot of our family and friends are huge animal lovers and donate every year. My daughter loves walking around the neighborhood with our dog Bella and knocking on their doors. Our neighbors are great and love to donate, too. I post a lot on social media and get attention that way. Don’t be shy! You never know what people will give because no amount is too small.

Team RRS

“The work that PAWS does is so unbelievable and we love being able to help make that possible.”

Tell us about yourselves!
We’re RRS (Receivable Recovery Solutions), a third-party billing company out of Deptford and Kennett Square. We have everyone from the CEO of the company to the follow-up reps participating in the walk along with their families and friends! We were a part of other teams last year and decided we want to make this an annual event for the company.

Why do you strut? What’s your favorite part?
Collectively our team is full of animal lovers. The work that PAWS does is so unbelievable and we love being able to help make that possible, whether it be monetary donations or food donations. Pretty much all of us have pets and the majority of them are adopted! From past Mutt Struts our favorite part was the pups in costumes. It’s so cute to see how creative people can get! We also loved being able to “rent a dog” to walk and help get adopted. Our CEO did it last year (actually made it on your website page) and she plans to do it again this year. RRS is extremely excited to be a part of such a great fundraiser and event for the animals of Philly. We will continue to have all paws on deck in order to make this a success year after year!

What’s your fundraising strategy?
We have really tried to utilize social media, and word of mouth to help raise donations for PAWS this year. In both offices we have a collection jar of change that we ask employees to donate if they can. We are also starting a “food drive” for the animals that we will bring the day of the event.