Oklahoma shelter dog wins 5K race, gets adopted

Elliott’s journey home was a bit of a marathon, with the last five kilometers making all the difference.

The caramel-and-white dog with the extra-long tongue had been at Pauls Valley Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), a Best Friends Network Partner in Oklahoma, longer than other dogs, and shelter staff were looking for ways to get him out in front of potential adopters. That opportunity came when PAWS helped organize Bark in the Park, a large community event where Elliott not only became a champion and local celebrity but also scored an even bigger win.

Bark in the Park featured adoptable pets from multiple animal welfare organizations, an adorable weenie dog race, and a 5K dog jog. Christopher Hurley, PAWS supervisor, explains that people who signed up for the 5K dog jog could run with their own dog, without a dog, or with one of the adoptable dogs. Elliott was one of the canine racers, and clearly he had eaten his Wheaties (err, kibble) that morning.

"When the runners came into view near the finish line, we said, 'Holy cow, that's Elliott! He's the winner,'" Christopher says.

Running Grand to Grand for the animals

But Elliott wasn't the only winner at Bark in the Park. Thanks to a Best Friends grant awarded to PAWS, the shelter was able to help more families welcome pets home during the event. "The grant helped by covering spay or neuter surgery, vaccinations, and adoption fees," says Kelly Burley, a Best Friends regional adviser who works with shelters in the area.

Best Friends' goal is for every shelter nationwide to reach no-kill, and providing grants like this is one way we’re helping shelters and the pets and families they serve.

All in all, the event helped cats and dogs land in loving homes and raised more than $19,000 for local animal welfare organizations. As for Elliott, after the 5K he had a different sort of finish line coming into view.

During the event, Elliott became something of a local celebrity. Shelter staff and volunteers proudly introduced visitors to the race-winning pup, and before long, a steady stream of people stopped by the PAWS adoption tent to meet him.

Among them was a family who liked Elliott but wasn't quite sure whether they were ready to adopt. After chatting with Christopher and learning more about the cheerful, soulful-eyed dog who had just won the race, they realized they couldn't leave without him.

While Elliott's story may have stolen the spotlight, Bark in the Park was designed to bring attention to adoptable pets from all over the area.

Life of adventure for a dog who couldn’t be left behind

"We wanted to have a hybrid of organizations at the event — from large municipal shelters to smaller rescue groups that maybe don't have regular adoption events or large adoption programs," says Christopher. "Everyone was excited to get out there and get in front of people and say, 'Hey we're here, and we're trying to build connections in our community to help more pets.'"

Kelly adds, “Bark in the Park exemplifies the power of the community to move more animals into new homes while amplifying the idea that the well-being of animals and communities are interrelated. We are all really proud of Christopher and his shelter and community teammates for pulling off such an amazing event.”

These days, Elliott spends less time racing through downtown Pauls Valley and more time racing around the yard with his family. Christopher describes Elliott's journey from shelter to finish line to beloved family member as simply meant to be.

"It was all so random that he won and then got adopted," Christopher says. "It's not like we said, 'Who's the fastest runner? Here's the dog we think is the fastest.' Everything just fell into place in the right way."

When shelters, rescue groups, volunteers, and communities come together to create more opportunities for pets, even more wonderful things have a way of falling into place.

Our goal at Best Friends is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill. No-kill means saving every dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved, accounting for community safety and good quality of life for pets. 

Shelter staff can’t do it alone. Saving animals in shelters is everyone’s responsibility, and it takes support and participation from the community. No-kill is possible when we work together thoughtfully, honestly, and collaboratively.