Fast and Furriest Goes Virtual

The Great Lakes Bay Animal Society is completely dependent on donations and fundraisers for medical care and supplies, with all raised funds going to care and administration of rescued animals.

The Great Lakes Bay Animal Society’s primary fundraising event, the Fast and Furriest, is off the leash this year as a virtual 5K walk/run at Midland City Forest on Oct. 9-10 and Oct. 12.

“This is our eighth annual event, and we are excited to be able to transition our fundraiser in a way that helps us raise funds and awareness for our rescue organization but is also set up to keep our participants safe in the current pandemic environment,” said Roy Vanderlinden, chairman of the Fast and Furriest. “Last year, we had over $11,000 in veterinarian expenses for our rescues, and the needs of our rescue animals don’t change during a pandemic. In fact, this year our medical expenses are more than 50% higher as we expand our reach.”

The Great Lakes Bay Animal Society is a home-based animal rescue organization serving the tri-city area. The rescue fosters abandoned cats and dogs, restores them to physical and mental health, and adopts them into loving homes. The organization is completely dependent on donations and fundraisers for medical care and supplies, with all raised funds going to care and administration of rescued animals. The Great Lakes Bay Animal Society is 100% volunteer based.

Unfortunately, there are always abandoned animals, and the society can only take on as many as it can foster and fund. That means the community support is needed now more than ever.

The Fast and Furriest fundraising event can be walked or run, with or without dogs, and with family or friends at the Midland City Forest or at a time and place of a participant’s choosing. For more information on the event, go to GLBAS.org.