California's City of Cats Is Tops for Dogs

Participants in Morris Animal Foundation's 1st Annual K9 Cancer Walk in Los Gatos Raise More Than $80,000 for Canine Cancer Research

News provided by

Morris Animal Foundation

Oct 14, 2010, 01:31 ET

DENVER, Oct. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 600 California dog lovers joined together on Sunday, October 10, for the 1st annual K9 Cancer Walk in Los Gatos, Calif., and they raised more than $80,000 for Morris Animal Foundation's Canine Cancer Campaign. The campaign funds research to prevent, treat and, ultimately, cure cancer in dogs. Those who were not able to join Morris Animal Foundation in Los Gatos, and would still like to help dogs live longer, cancer-free lives, can donate online until Sunday, October 25.

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"Morris Animal Foundation couldn't be happier with the support we received for the 1st annual K9 Cancer Walk in Los Gatos. We actually doubled our original fundraising goal," said Tish Czachor, canine cancer events manager. "The Foundation recognizes the need to help our best friends live longer, healthier, cancer-free lives, and to share that mission with Northern California dog lovers was amazing. With the support we received, we are one step closer in finding a cure."

More than 50 teams participated in the first annual event, and final team counts will be posted next week. Teams were also encouraged to show their team spirit by participating in the Top Dogs Contest.

Top Dog Contest winners:

Top Team: Golden Retrievers to the Rescue raised nearly $7,000

Most Team Members: VCA Animal Hospitals, of Los Gatos, Calif., with 56 registered participants

Top Fundraiser (individual): Mary Rieger, of Society Dog's Team Trevor, raised more than $1,800

Top Fundraiser Honorable Mention (individual): Joanne Mcgrail, of Golden Retrievers to the Rescue, raised more than $1,600

Most Spirit: Society Dog's Team Trevor showed up "Clowning Around for a Cure"

Most Spirit Honorable Mention: Angelfish Silicon Valley

Morris Animal Foundation is grateful for the connections it has made in Northern California, including this year's sponsors and media partners: Eukanuba, Clear Channel San Francisco, VCA Animal Hospital, AMARC Enterprises, Animal Scan Advanced Veterinary Image, Canidae Natural Pet Food Company, Diva Dogs, Fetch Magazine, Legacy Films, Veterinary Medical Specialists and Veterinary Surgical Associates.

Morris Animal Foundation's next two K9 Cancer Walks are right around the corner. Join the Foundation in Coconut Creek, Fla., on December 5 and in Elk Grove, Calif., on April 30, 2011. Learn more at www.K9CancerWalk.org.

Photos available upon request.

About Morris Animal Foundation