Local
Warwick City Park dog walk supports animal shelter’s care fund
A Halloween-themed dog hike and costume contest brought residents to Warwick City Park to raise money for the city’s animal shelter. Organizers say donations help cover urgent veterinary care and other needs.
Dozens of costumed dogs and their owners gathered at Warwick City Park for a Halloween-season hike and costume contest benefiting the Warwick Animal Shelter.
The event followed the park’s roughly 2.8-mile loop. Melodi Landi, owner of Furry Fellas Dog Walking and Pet Sitting, began the annual fundraiser four years ago as a way to support the community and give people and their pets a chance to get outside together.
“I’m a huge animal lover and it’s a fun event for people to get out, exercise with their dogs, meet some other dog parents,” Landi said.
Money raised goes to Friends of the Warwick Animal Shelter, an all-volunteer organization. Board chair Judy Salvador said donations help pay for needs ranging from unexpected surgeries to rewards for information leading to the arrest of people who abandon dogs.
“We’re an all volunteer organization, so every penny that we raise goes towards helping the animals at the shelter,” Salvador said.
Salvador also distributed a flyer seeking information about a German Shepherd found unattended at the park. The dog was severely underweight and had significant ear infections, according to event organizers.
Landi said the fundraiser helps bring attention and resources to the shelter, which she described as an important local organization.