The Rotary Club of LaPlace has scheduled its four annual Pups in the Park on 51 charity dog walk for Saturday, March 24. The event will once again take place at the parish park on U.S. Highway 51, utilizing the jogging path for the one-mile walk. The event will begin at 11 a.m. with demonstrations by the St. John Sheriff’s Office K9 team, followed by the walk at noon with canine beauty and talent contests at 1 p.m. There will be food available, the sponsors will have items for sale and there will be dogs available for adoption presented by several animal rescue groups. This is the place to be for dog lovers in St. John Parish.

Each year the Rotary Club of LaPlace donates a portion of the proceeds to support local animal charities and initiatives. The money is raised through corporate and individual event sponsorships plus the $10 entry fee on the day of the event. In 2011 the club donated $3,000 to the St. John Animal Shelter to fund Parvo vaccinations for the dogs in their care.

In 2012 the club will raise money to provide replacement bullet-proof vests for the K9 dogs in the St. John Sheriff’s Office. The Rotary Club of LaPlace helped raise the funds for their current vests several years ago, but the time has come to replace them with new units. Rotary Club President Bill Ironside commented “We are proud to be able to help protect the dogs that protect us. By participating in the event, you not only help make our community safer, but will also have a great time with your dog-loving neighbors.”

For more information on the 2012 Pups in the Park on 51 charity dog walk and please visit the website at www.pupsinthepark.com. The site contains pictures from the previous walks plus information on how to become a sponsor.