HAMLET — More than $700 was raised for one local animal organization during the Saturday’s Walk and Wag at Main Street Park.
The event, now in its third year, brought in $787 for Richmond County Operation Fix (formerly Animal Advocates) to help its mission of curbing the local unwanted pet population by helping residents through its spay and neuter program.
As of April 2, the organization had helped fix 136 animals in the first three months of this year.
Operation Fix was gifted a van — dubbed the “neuter scooter” — by Griffin Dodge in December to help transport cats and dogs to the clinic. That van was outfitted with the logo of the organization and sponsors.
Operation Fix had several tables at the Walk and Wag, including one making on-site tie-dye T-shirts and another making paw-print paintings.
The Humane Society of Richmond County and the Richmond County Animal Shelter also both brought out several dogs that are ready for adoption. You can find out more by visiting each organization’s Facebook page.
Mechelle Preslar, director of community engagement, said Mercantile on Broad donated more than a dozen bags each of dog and cat food, which was split between the organizations.
The walk portion of the event has been downsized over the years — from a 5K trek through town in 2022, to walk from the Depot to the Hamlet Public Library and back in 2023. This year, it was just a walk in the park.
Several Richmond County residents brought their four-legged family members to the event, which ranged in size from a miniature dachshund to an Irish wolfhound, the latter brought by Rockingham Mayor John Hutchinson and his family.
The event also included a pet costume contest and a raffle.
See photos from the event below.
