Animal lovers from across Richmond laced up their sneakers on March 21 for a community-favorite event filled with fitness, furry friends and fundraising.
What began as a simple race over two decades ago has transformed into a lively tradition supporting the Richmond SPCA’s life-saving care and adoption services for animals in the region. Sponsored by Holiday Barn Pet Resort, the 24th annual Dog Jog, 5K and Block Party brought together thousands of people and surpassed its fundraising goal, proving the event is still gaining momentum.
“It’s just a really happy and energetic vibe,” said Dori McGuire, director of communications at the Richmond SPCA. “It kicks off with a 5K, so those runners are usually ready to go. Some run, some walk, we have all sorts of people participating, and everybody’s just really excited.”
After a 5K for competitive runners and casual joggers alike, a half-mile Kids’ Fun Run kicks off for ages four to 10. Then, the main event brings in participants joined by their canine companions for a leisurely ‘Dog Jog’ on a mile-long course. Festivities later transition into a block party at the Richmond SPCA’s Robins-Starr Humane Center, featuring a vendor fair, food trucks, live music and more.
With fun activities for everyone, the fundraiser seems to draw a bigger crowd each year – providing an enthusiastic platform for one of the shelter’s most important ambassadors: the dogs themselves.
Paws to the pavement
For many, the most exciting part of the day is the Dog Jog.
The shorter course is open for leisurely strolls or jogs for the most active of pups. While participants are encouraged to bring their own dogs to enjoy the race, there’s a particular spotlight around the shelter dogs and the volunteers who escort them.
The “Running Buddies” are a dedicated group of volunteers who visit the shelter weekly to ensure that dogs get time outside of their kennels to run, walk and play. By providing this essential physical stimulation, these volunteers help keep the dogs happier and adoption ready during their stay.
“The team is a top fund-raiser every year,” McGuire said. “I think they raised over $22,000 as a team [through peer-to-peer campaigning], and they came out with about six or seven pups from our shelter and took them through the Dog Jog.”
Outside of the Running Buddies, other SPCA volunteers navigated the crowds with more shelter dogs dressed in ‘Adopt Me’ vests. Socialization and visibility are a functional part of the event, allowing prospective adopters to interact with the animals in a relaxed setting outside of the shelter.
The pack that stays together makes a difference together
While the morning focused on fitness, the afternoon was about community.
The high-energy Block Party elevates the event to a day-long celebration, featuring a marketplace with local Richmond vendors and artisans offering homemade dog-treats to unique pieces of art. Food trucks provided a variety of local eats, and live music kept the good vibes going long after runners and furry friends crossed the finish line.
All proceeds of the event directly supports animal health and welfare, helping fund rescue and adoption programs at the Richmond SPCA and low-cost medical care for pets at the Susan M. Markle Veterinary Hospital.
This event holds a unique place in the Richmond SPCA’s calendar. While the organization hosts formal galas and smaller seasonal drives throughout the year, the annual Dog Jog is its largest community-driven fundraiser of the year. Its impact lies in its accessibility; the Dog Jog allows everyone to support life-saving work through fitness and fun, rather than high-level donations.
By the end of this year’s Block Party, nearly $230,000 were raised – surpassing the Richmond SPCA’s initial $224,000 goal.
“To everyone who showed up – and everybody who couldn’t show up but still fundraised – from the bottom of our hearts, thank you,” McGuire said. “What you’re doing really matters. Without the community, we wouldn’t have any of our programs.”
As one of the country’s first no-kill humane societies, its programs provide a safety net for the region’s most vulnerable animals, finding homes for approx. 4,000 homeless animals each year. The Richmond SPCA also offers a free Behavior Helpline, pet training classes, and a Pet Pantry that provides free food to local families in need.
To help support its mission and learn more, visit the website.
