Mutt Strut

Fundraise for Mutt Strut and your pet could be a "Top Dog"!

Raise money for homeless pets, and your pet could be on one of Triptych Brewing's limited-edition labels! The pet who raises the most money will be Mutt Strut's "Top Dog", and one of our champions! During the Mutt Strut season, we will also be awarding our "Mr. or Ms. Popular" title to the pet who has the highest number of individual donors, regardless of their total raised. This prize is not about how much your pet can raise, but how many people they can inspire! Plus, there are fun prizes available at all levels of participation. Check the prizes out here and then register to fundraise!

If you support our shelter, and want to provide care for pets in need, please register to run for 'Top Dog'! No matter how much you raise, when you share your fundraiser with friends, family, and followers, you're spreading our mission, and giving people the opportunity to show they care about animals. 

The top fundraiser and the campaign with the most donors will be honored at this year's Mutt Strut, on May 4, 2025! We'll see you there for a day to celebrate all things dog!

Do you know a "Top Dog"? What about a "Mr. or Ms. Popular"?

All pets are welcome to apply to campaign for the Mutt Strut, and everyone who participates will make a difference in the lives of pets at the shelter. Make a campaign today!

You and your dog are invited to Mutt Strut on May 4, 2025. Click for tickets.

Celebrate "all things dog" at Mutt Strut: May 4, 2025

The Mutt Strut is what every dog-owner dreams of:  An event where dogs are not just “allowed” but welcomed!  Food for dogs, games for dogs, contests for dogs, everything is going to the dogs on Sunday, May 4, 2025.

Join us for:

🐶A celebratory dog-walk around the park, led by Mutt Strut Champions, "Top Dog" and "Mr. and Ms. Popular"
🐶Food trucks to picnic with friends
🐶Triptych beer, while giving back to CCHS
🐶Dog friendly games and activities, like treat hide-and-seek, or the Serra Subaru agility course
🐶Dog contests, to win prizes (don't miss our fan favorite - the peanut butter licking contest!)

We're wagging our tails in excitement! Get your tickets today, or check out last year's event, below!


Last Year's Event

We had fun at Mutt Strut 2024

Click on the photo gallery to see all the fun we had at last year's event! And make sure to join us for this year's event! You and your "mutts" can "strut" again on Sunday, May 4, 2025 from 4 PM - 7 PM at Crystal Lake Park.

Get Tickets for 2025 

Congratulations to last year's champions

The 2024 competition for Mutt Strut's "Top Dog" was incredible! Thank you all who gave, and an incredible thank you to our fundraisers! You are all such good dogs!

Top Dog 2024

The winner of the Top Dog competition was PIPER ROWAN! Thank you, Piper, for raising $6,093.69! Piper appears on the limited-edition Triptych brew "Piper's Wit," featuring bright spring flavors like blueberries and her smiling face! You can order her "Top Dog" can at Triptych Brewing! While supplies last.

Ms. Popular

And a very big thanks to our Ms. Popular, with a mind blowing 114 supporters, LUCILLE MOODY! One hundred fourteen of her friends and family took the time to make donations to CCHS to honor Lucille and help shelter dogs. Truly, thank you!

Learn more about Mutt Strut:

Q: "What's the difference between Mutt Strut and Top Dog?"

A:  "Top Dog" is the champion of the Mutt Strut! The 'Top Dog' prize goes to the human/pet team that raises the most money for CCHS, leading up to the Mutt Strut event.

The Mutt Strut is an outdoor event for people and their dogs, being held this year on May 4, 2025, at Crystal Lake Park in Urbana.  At the Mutt Strut, we'll play games and do activities, designed for dogs. We'll also walk together around the park to honor the Top Dog and Mr./Ms. Popular teams, picnic with food trucks, and guests 21+ can enjoy beer from Triptych.

Q: "Does my competing pet have to be a dog?"

A:  No, 'Top Dog' is a lifestyle, and all pets are welcome to apply!  But seriously . . . all fundraisers are welcome to showcase any of their pets as their mascot, regardless of species.

However, the Mutt Strut is an event for people and their dogs, and no other types of pets will be admitted to the event.  

Q: "Who wins the Mr./Ms. Popular Title?"

'Mr./Ms. Popular' is the human/pet team that received donations from the most donors, leading up to the Mutt Strut event. They are not necessarily one of the top two fundraisers! Some pets receive larger donations from fewer people, and some inspire many people to give at all levels. We want to honor both!

Q: "Can my pet win both 'Top Dog' and 'Mr./Ms. Popular'?"

A:  While it's possible that the top fundraiser will also inspire the most supporters, our 'Top Dog' will not be eligible to win the 'Mr./Ms. Popular' title. In this case, the top fundraiser may choose between the prizes.

Q: "Are all dogs welcome to attend this event?"

A:  We love all dogs at CCHS, but not every dog does well with big crowds, or an outdoor event like the Mutt Strut. You should consider your pet's health, temperament, and behavior when deciding whether to bring them to the event. So, should you come?

Yes! If your dog:
• Is old enough to be around other dogs and people (at least 6 months of age).
• Is up to date on all required vaccinations (appropriate paperwork or collar tags must be present at check in).
• Does well on a leash.
• Can manage the weather conditions that day.
• Is not aggressive or anxious toward other dogs.
• Is friendly toward humans, and not fearful of crowds or noise.
and Probably not, if your dog:
• Does not have proof of their current rabies vaccination.
• Is still too young to mix with a big crowd (under 6 months).
• Would have trouble being outside for an extended period of time.
• Cannot tolerate that day's weather.
• Has aggressive tendencies or is reactive (barks and pulls) towards other dogs or humans while on or off leash.
• Is shy or timid and likely to be stressed.
• Is exhibiting any signs of illness close to the day of the event.

CCHS will also have dog handlers at the event to watch for signs of stress dogs or aggression between dogs. A handler will inform you if they see signs of discomfort and recommend how to help. CCHS will ask you to leave the event if your dog is being disruptive.

Q: "Can I bring my cat / bird / snake / rabbit to the Mutt Strut event?"

A:  While you may be fundraising for your non-canine pet to be 'Top Dog,' Mutt Strut is a dog-only event. You will still be welcome to join us at Mutt Strut, we just kindly ask that you leave the non-dogs at home for this particular event for their own safety and the safety of others. 

Q: "When do ticket sales close?"

A:  Walk ups will always be welcome! In-person registration is available on site. Online registration will remain available through the end of the event. There is a small price increase, by $5, on the day of the event.

Q: "What will be provided at the event, and what will we have to bring?"

A:  We will have several dog friendly activities available, as well as dog contests with prizes, and many dog treats! Please bring cash so you can enjoy Triptych Beer, which raises money for CCHS! Food trucks will be there for you to picnic. Bottled water and doggie water stations will be provided, with pet water served in a community bowl. If you require a separate drinking container for your dog, please bring one, and we will be more than happy to fill it up with water. There will be waste bags provided as well. Please clean up after your pet.

Q: "Registration is for one dog and handler, but I have two dogs. What do I do?"

A:  Come with a friend! All dogs must be accompanied by their own handler, who is at least 16 years of age. If you have more than one dog who would like to attend, please register your second pet with a second handler. You can also consider registering as a Friend of Mutt Strut, which helps sponsor the event, and permits entry for two dogs, each with their own handler.

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