Frequently Asked Questions

2024 Registration Fee Breakdown

Please see our registration pricing breakdown for 2024 below:

HOW TO REGISTER

You can register as an individual or you can create or join a team. 

Teams are simply made up of two or more people who want to compete for our top team prizes, as well as awesome individual fundraising prizes!

Your registration fee includes one Pet Walk T-shirt along with a personal Pet Walk fundraising web page you can customize with pictures and stories of you and your furry friends.  It's easy to earn great prizes by collecting donations for animals in need!

Looking for something great to do with a group?  Start a team with your friends, co-workers or family! Your team can compete for one of our top team prizes and each team member can also win individual prizes.  If you have already registered as an individual and would like to join a team, please contact petwalkmke@wihumane.org.

Have your friends, co-workers or family already started a team you want to join?  Your team can compete for one of our top team prizes and each team member can also win individual prizes.  If you have already registered as an individual and would like to join a team, please contact petwalkmke@wihumane.org.

Can't attend on June 15, but still want to support the animals and earn your Pet Walk T-shirt?  It's easy! Register as a "Virtual Walker" and you'll receive your official T-shirt mailed directly to you after the walk, as well as your own web page that you can personalize and use to send out fundraising emails to friends and family. And remember, Virtual Walkers are eligible for all fundraising prizes! For questions, please contact petwalkmke@wihumane.org.  

PRE-REGISTRATION SHIRT & PRIZE PICK-UP

When can I pick up my registration T-shirt and prizes?

Check back soon for details regarding pre-event shirt and prize pick up at the Milwaukee campus!

Can I pick up shirts for my entire team? 

Yes!  You can pick up just your shirt, or have one person pick up shirts for the entire team or your family!

Can I pick up my shirt at the event on race day? 

We urge everyone to pick up their shirts and prizes during our designated prize pick up before the event so you have everything you need for the race ahead of time, but if you are not able to pick up your shirt or have a team member pick up your shirt, you are able to pick up your shirt in the donation & prize pick-up tent at the race starting at 8am. 

RUN/WALK QUESTIONS

Is this a race or a fun run?

This is a fun run to support animals, so neither the 5K or 1-mile route will be timed. Participants are encouraged to go at their own pace. Feeling competitive? Use your fitness tracker app or watch to track your own progress and see if you can set your own PR!
 

Should I still attend Pet Walk if I don't bring a dog?

Yes! Pet Walk is a family-friendly and dog-friendly walk for anyone who wants to support the work WHS does for animals in need in our community. Everyone is welcome to Pet Walk with AND without a dog, and there will be plenty of people who do not have pets or have their dog stay at home. Trust us, whether you're participating with friends, family or co-workers, this fun-filled event will have something for everyone! Check out our day-of activities here.

I’ve registered for Pet Walk; can my children and spouse run or walk with me?

Children 5 and under receive free entry into Pet Walk and our post-race festival, but everyone else must register for the run and walk. Day-of registration fees increase by $10.00 per participation type.  You can view the registration fee breakdown at the top of this page.  The festival portion of Pet Walk is open to everyone who participates at no charge.  You can listen to live music, visit vendor booths, enjoy our kids’ activities, partake in food and beverages, see your dog take on the lure course and much more after the walk!
 

Can I register the day of the event?  

Yes, you can register on-site, although the fee will increase by $10.00 per participation type.  This means fees increase to $40 per adult (ages 18+) and $30 for youth (ages 6-17 years old).
 

Can I register by mail?  

Yes.  For those who aren't able to register online, download our Offline Registration Form here and fill one out for each person registering for the event.  Send this form, along with your registration fee and any donations by June 10, 2024 to:

Wisconsin Humane Society

Attn: Pet Walk MKE

4500 W Wisconsin Ave

Milwaukee, WI 53208

After June 10, you will need to register at Veterans Park on Saturday, June 15 starting at 8 a.m.  Day-of registration increases by $10 per registration type.

What do you do with the money raised from Pet Walk?

100% of the proceeds from Pet Walk go right back to helping the 40,000 animals that WHS cares for every year.  Because of your support for events like Pet Walk, every adoptable animal has as long as it takes to find a home, regardless of time or space.  WHS does not receive general government funding. We are funded through the generous support of community-minded companies, foundations, and caring individuals and through special events like Pet Walk.  
 

Is my registration fee tax-deductible?

The IRS considers the entry fee for a charitable walk to be the price paid for attending and participating in the event, and, as such, the fee is not tax-deductible.  However, anything donated above and beyond your Pet Walk registration fee is deductible.  100% of donations made to support Pet Walk participants and WHS are tax deductible.  If you’re asking friends, family and co-workers to sponsor you for the walk, let them know that their sponsorship is tax-deductible. 
 

How far is the route? 

There are two routes again this year!  The 5K fun run/walk route is roughly 3 miles long, the walk is approximately one mile. 
 

What vaccinations does my dog need to attend the event? 

All dogs need to be current on their Rabies (if over 4 months of age), Distemper, and Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccines before the walk.  Please check your records because even if you adopted from us, you may not have all the vaccinations required. 
 

Can I drop my child off to do the walk with our dog?

No.  All children under 16 years old must be under direct adult supervision at all times during the event.  
 

How do I get to the event?

Pet Walk MKE is held at Veterans Park on Milwaukee's lakefront.  You will take Lincoln Memorial Dr. to E. Lagoon Dr. to access the designated participant parking area for $10 cash per vehicle or use street parking on Lincoln Memorial Dr. or surrounding streets.
 

Where can I park? 

There is a designated parking lot for Pet Walk off of E. Lagoon Dr. that offers event parking for $10 cash per vehicle.  Once the lot is filled, street parking is available on Lincoln Memorial Dr. on a first come, first served basis.  (Parking is prohibited on E. Lagoon Drive on the day of the race due to congestion).
 

Will food and beverage be available at the event?

Yes! Pet Walk will have plenty of free water for both people and animals throughout the actual run and walk.  We will also feature a variety of tasty food and beverage choices available for purchase during the festivities after the race.

FUNDRAISING QUESTIONS

Do I have to attend the run/walk to raise money? 

No.  If you are not able to attend the walk but still want to support animals, you can become a “Virtual Walker!”  It’s free and you’ll receive your very own fundraising page, email samples, and fundraising tips to help you promote your involvement and raise money to care for animals in need!  

 

Can I raise money offline (checks and cash) even if I sign up online? 

Absolutely!  Every participant can choose their preferred fundraising format.  You can drop off or send your cash and check donations to WHS by June 12 or bring them to the donation & prize pick-up tent starting at 8am on Saturday, June 15.  Just be sure to record names, addresses and amount for these donations on our pledge form so that we can track them properly and include them on your fundraising web page.  You can find the pledge form here.

DONATION QUESTIONS

Is donating online safe and secure? 
You can donate without worry knowing that we partner with the online fundraising experts at Luminate Online to ensure the safest and most secure transactions possible. 

 

Can you change the recognition name of a donation I’ve already made? 

 Yes.  Please contact us at petwalkmke@wihumane.org so that we can credit donations to the proper person.  

TEAM QUESTIONS

How many people make up a team?  

Two or more people are required to form a team.    

I registered as an individual but now would like to join or create a team.  What do I do? 

Contact us at petwalkmke@wihumane.org and request your desired team.  We’ll update your record for you.  

 

Where do teams check-in on the day of the walk? 

If you've already picked up your shirt and have no additional donations to bring to the walk, you do not need to check in at our registration tent.  If you need to pick up your shirt, submit additional donations or pick up your fundraising prizes, you will need to visit our registration tent starting at 8 a.m. on race day.  Because there will be hundreds of people and animals at the walk, it is a good idea to coordinate a location for your team to meet the morning of the walk ahead of time.  

How are the prizes distributed to me if I’m part of a team? 

Prizes are distributed based on individual fundraising accomplishments, regardless of whether or not you are on a team.  All prizes will be available at the donation & prize pick-up tent starting at 8 a.m. on race day.  For more information, contact us at petwalkmke@wihumane.org.