The annual Yacolt Mutt Strut at Yacolt Recreational Park looked a little different this year, with Saturday’s triple-digit heat forcing organizers to cancel the dog walk portion of the fundraiser. Even so, community members showed up to support the Humane Society for Southwest Washington (HSSW) through donations.
Event organizer Desiree Lorenz said the fundraiser, now in its third year, began with a personal mission. Lorenz, who owned an elderly dog in need of a wheelchair, reached out to the Church of Pug in the Seattle area and received one within days.
“I was so blown away by the kindness that I felt like I needed to do something to give back, and so we started the mutt strut to raise funds for the Church of Pug the first year, and then the last two years it's benefited the Humane Society for Southwest Washington.”
The Humane Society for Southwest Washington (HSSW) provides shelter, medical care and adoption services to more than 10,000 animals each year across its Vancouver and Longview campuses. In 2024, the organization adopted out 4,230 animals. All vendor registration and walk participation proceeds go directly to HSSW. As a private nonprofit, HSSW relies on community support and receives no federal or state government funding.
Lorenz added that about 20 people had registered for the walk this year due to heat, fewer than in the past, but turnout remained steady with families, vendors and community supporters. Last year, the annual event raised just under $3,500 for HSSW.
“We really wanted to keep everyone safe and just keep everyone at the park,” Lorenz said.
Still, community members from all over the county arrived to support local animals. Brian Burks of Battle Ground shows up to the Yacolt Mutt Strut each year. Lucky, a coonhound adopted to him by HSSW, lived with his family for 14 years.
“He'd get in the backyard and howl and bring the coyotes and then he'd play with them,” Burks recalled. “The other cool thing was when he would take off running, which was quite often, all you had to do was burn toast, put toast in, burn it, put the fan on, and he'd come, he loved burnt toast.”
For Burks, supporting organizations like HSSW is crucial to give dogs like Lucky a second chance.
“They're always packed with all these strays and whatnot, and it's great that they do what they do. They need more money actually,” Burks said.
Other locals attending Saturday’s event shared the sentiment. Tara Delepine of Clark County brought Butch, a five-year-old tick hound pit bull mix, missing his front right leg. She adopted him from a friend after he was injured and could no longer hunt.
“Just helping dogs that may not get another chance to find another home [is] important for the animals with disabilities or other challenges,” Delepine said.
Yacolt resident Chad Futrell brought Oakley, his 2-year-old Labrador mix, who was adopted from a stranger.
“A lot of people get dogs that realize that they're a lot of work and then get rid of them, so there's probably a lot of dogs that need help and homes,” Futrell said.
Readers can learn more about the organization at southwesthumane.org.
