Woman sitting with small black and white dog

Strutting to save lives

For 28 years, Best Friends Animal Society’s Strut Your Mutt annual walk and fundraiser for animals has been bringing entire communities together to save the lives of homeless pets across the country.

When the first Strut Your Mutt event took place in 1995 on a cold, wet day in Salt Lake City, we never dreamed at the time that this small event would turn into a national phenomenon, generating millions of dollars and benefiting hundreds of shelters and rescue groups across the country.

Since 1995, the landscape of fundraising events has changed dramatically, and new technology has made it possible for more groups to keep each other informed about the causes they support. Therefore, this year, Strut Your Mutt will return to its roots with just a single event in Salt Lake City.

Julie Castle

From our CEO, Julie Castle

"Strut Your Mutt holds a very special place in my heart. Beyond the remarkable journey this event has had, the memories that have been made, and the lives that have been saved, creating this event was my launchpad into animal welfare."

Julie Castle 

Read Julie's love letter to Strut Your Mutt »

Dog and cat walk

A fundraiser that saves lives

Every dollar raised from Strut Your Mutt goes directly to help save dogs and cats in communities throughout the U.S.

Since every Strut Your Mutt participant chooses to support and raise funds for either Best Friends or their favorite participating animal welfare organization, so many animals are helped at shelters and rescue groups across the country. 

All money raised from Strut Your Mutt has been used to save homeless pets in our communities through spay/neuter programs, adoption events, foster programs, veterinary care, lifesaving transports, and other activities. 

The Best Friends Network, made up of thousands of rescue groups and shelters around the country, uses Strut You Mutt as a platform to raise the crucial funds needed to save the lives of pets in their care. 

Find a network partner near you:

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A look back at Strut Your Mutt

Not only have we saved the lives of dogs and cats, but we’ve had so much fun and made so many connections with amazing, animal-loving people.

In Strut Your Mutt’s 28 years, we’ve strutted in 17 cities and held a virtual fundraising event to benefit the animals of Best Friends’ partner shelters and rescue groups across the country.

For over 25 years, Best Friends’ annual Strut Your Mutt walk and fundraiser has raised crucial funds to save the lives of homeless pets across the country.
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 During the 2010 Strut Your Mutt in Los Angeles, people and their pooches gathered to save lives and raised over $134,000 for homeless pets in Los Angeles and across the country.
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 In 2011, a large community of 1,500 animal lovers gathered in Los Angeles and raised over $280,000 to save the lives of homeless pets locally and across the country.
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 In 2012, after 1,200 participants and 850 dogs hit the pavement in New York City to raise over $270,000 for homeless pets, they visited pet-friendly vendors and enjoyed live entertainment.
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 In 2013, dedicated volunteers during Strut Your Mutt in Salt Lake City helped participants raise over $203,000 that went directly toward saving the lives of homeless pets.
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 Over the years, Strut Your Mutt in Salt Lake City has continued to grow as passionate participants have gathered to raise awareness and funds for homeless pets.
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 In 2014, strutters and their pups took a fun, lifesaving walk at the majestic Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah, while raising nearly $50,000 for homeless pets.
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 In 2015, nearly 13,000 participants across the country strutted their mutts and raised over $2 million for homeless pets all while making new friends and having fun.
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 During Strut Your Mutt, participants and their pooches dress up in fun costumes and step out to raise lifesaving funds for homeless pets in their communities.
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 In 2016, over $2.6 million was raised by more than 15,500 participants for homeless pets in San Fransisco and other communities across the country.
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 In 2022, the new Best Friends Pet Resource Center in Bentonville, Arkansas, held its first Strut Your Mutt event to raise funds for homeless pets in northwest Arkansas.
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 Strut Your Mutt is a fundraising walk and a festival of fun activities for both pets and people.
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The work goes on

Although Strut Your Mutt is changing, there are so many other ways you can continue to create a better world for homeless pets and their communities.

Two smiling people sitting with their small dog at a dog walk event

Create a fundraiser

No matter where you live, there are so many ways to raise money and awareness to help save the lives of homeless pets.
Raising funds to save lives
Smiling person sitting on a couch with a cat next to them

Foster a pet

Fostering a pet is a short-term commitment with a long-term impact. By opening your home to a dog or cat for even a few days, you can save lives. 
The fun of fostering a pet
Person petting a cat in front of a sunny window

Remember a pet

Memorials are spaces where we commemorate the lives of pets who are no longer with us but live on in our hearts.
Paying tribute to a special pet
Dog giving a hug to a person who is holding them

Adopt a pet

When you adopt a homeless dog or cat from a shelter or rescue group, you’re making a lifesaving difference for a loving and grateful animal.
Find adoptable dogs and cats near you

Let’s stay in touch

We’ve had so much fun strutting with you over the years, and we hope you’ll connect with us on social media to stay in the loop about the lifesaving progress we’re making together.   

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