Cape & Islands News

Walkers raise money to benefit animals

People, dogs participate in event Sunday to support MSPCA

  Two-hundred and fifty pet-owners walked along South Street in Hyannis yesterday to raise money for the MSPCA.

By James Kinsella

Names can carry deeper meanings. Take the name of Tara Monroe's dog: Chance.
Seven years ago, Monroe adopted Chance. Asked about the name, she responded: "As in 'second.'"

Tara Monroe and her dog Chance

Amy Wallace with Marley and Louie

Pooches and friends took  a rest after the walk at the waterfront park

Here's the story: Chance and his two sisters were found abandoned behind a dumpster at the Cape Cod Mall. The finder adopted the two sisters. That left their brother, the runt of the litter.

"He was this small," Monroe said, cupping her hands.

Late Sunday morning, Chance was walking purposefully along South Street in Hyannis. Behind him was Monroe. They were participating in the 13th annual Cape Cod MSPCA Walk for the Animals.

Monroe and Chance, who live in West Yarmouth, had plenty of company. More than 250 people had signed up for the annual walk, designed to raise funds for the non-profit organization's Centerville operation.

They stretched frontward and backward along South Street in Hyannis, part of a one-mile walk through downtown Hyannis.

The walkers and their dogs had departed from and were returning to Aselton Park in Hyannis, the headquarters for the MSPCA Cape walk.

Heather Donnelly said the walk raises money to directly benefit the MSPCA's operations, which include arranging pet adoptions, spaying and neutering of pets, and behavioral advice. Donnelly is the assistant to the director of the agency's animal care and adoption centers.

Pets and owners were walking Sunday at various places throughout Massachusetts to raise money for the agency's efforts. Walks were going off simultaneously in Boston, Brockton, Martha's Vineyard and Springfield.

Human participants in the Hyannis walk on Sunday said they came for a number of reasons, including the opportunity to raise money for a good cause, to meet and renew acquaintances with other pet owners, and to have fun.

Their dogs were less communicative, but seemed to be having a good time.
Before the walk got going, as the Beatles' "Hey Bulldog" boomed out from speakers over

Aselton Park, Erin Moriarty and Bob Thibeault, husband and wife, sat under an umbrella with their dog, Brady, a golden retriever who turns four next month. Sunday was their third year of participating in the walk.

"I think it's a good cause," Moriarty said. "We treat pets as disposable in this society. They treat pets very well in Centerville at the MSPCA."

A number of walk participants were advocating further action on behalf of animals.

Hilary Sandler of West Barnstable had come with her greyhound, Cirrus, which she had adopted just over a year ago. Cirrus had lived most of his life as a racing greyhound at Wonderland.

Sandler was backing an initiative on the Nov. 4 general election ballot to ban greyhound racing in Massachusetts.

She said greyhounds routinely are kept in inhumane conditions while waiting to race, penned in very small cages for up to 23 hours a day. The cages are so small that some larger greyhounds can't even sit down, Sandler said.

She adopted Cirrus through an organization in Franklin called Amazing Greyz.

"He's a very friendly dog — calm, playful," she said of Cirrus. "He sleeps a lot."

Walk participants included Amy Wallace of Marstons Mills, who brought her two toy poodles: Bob, as in Marley, and Louie, as in Armstrong.

"It's an excellent cause, and a beautiful day," Wallace said. "I feel you should support the MSPCA and all the work they do."

Besides lunch, other activities at Sunday's event included an owner-dog look-alike contest, musical mats (a dog version of musical chairs) and best kisser.

Chance, who Monroe characterizes as a "happy, lovable dog," soaked up the sun.

Soon the adoptee — a mix of pit bull and labrador — would be back in West Yarmouth, sharing Monroe's attention with his housemates, three cats, and where his easygoing nature sells him well.

"They rule the roost," Monroe said.