Souris Valley Animal Shelter’s Alexis Topham lets adoptable pup Nala play in the sun Wednesday afternoon. Ashton Gerard/MDN

Lace up the running shoes and grab a furry friend for a day of fun at Roosevelt Park with the Minot State student group P.A.W.S (Providing Animal Welfare and Science) and the Souris Valley Animal Shelter as they host their fourth annual Fido 5k Saturday.

Check-in starts at 8:30 a.m. Those who already purchased their ticket should bring a valid ID or proof of purchase. The 5k starts at 10 a.m. and will have water stops spread out for both humans and dogs. The entry fee includes a Fido 5k t-shirt, snacks, beverages and a beer for those 21 and up. While it’s mostly a fun run, there will be a timer at the finish line for competitive runners.

“We typically have about 50 people attend and/or participate,” SVAS executive director Shelbi Waters said about previous Fido 5k’s. “This year, we have about 150 already signed up and it’s pet-friendly and kid-friendly.”

The shelter is expecting to see around 200 people total at the event. Different from previous years, they’ve included beer and refreshments in the ticket price to amp up the fun. “We’re going through a big remodel and we’ve been very transparent about the need for funding and how the best way to support us is coming to one of our events,” Waters said.

The money raised Saturday will go directly to the animal shelter for their shelter operations and spay and neuter fund. Currently, the shelter houses over 130 animals when their normal capacity is around 40.

Currently, Souris Valley Animal Shelter is the only shelter that serves this region. The Shelter encompasses 11 counties including Ward County and the city of Minot.

“We spend $26,000 a month to operate,” Waters said. “We are doing these events so we can continue with our capital campaign to get the new building up too.”

While there won’t be any adoptable pets present at the event, Waters said anyone looking to run with an animal can contact the shelter and run or walk the 5k with one of their adoptable pups.

“We have plenty that would love to go, so they are more than welcome to stop by and rent their pup for a day,” Waters said with a laugh.

Renting a pup for a day would help the dogs get out into the community, socializing with other pups and humans and overall make them more adoptable. Anyone interested in taking one of the animal shelter dogs to run or walk the 5k can call the shelter at 852-6133 and they can get a dog ready.

“It really needs to be an adult because all of our dogs right now are very big and very strong,” Waters added. “We don’t have any small dogs right now.”

As a part of the animal shelter mission, they will also have $20 microchip vouchers at the event for those that participate in the 5k. The shelter set a goal to microchip 1,000 pets this year.

“In our minds when an animal comes to us and we are able to scan them and find out where they live and who their owner is, we’re usually able to get them out of the door in a matter of three hours,” Waters explained. “If they don’t have a microchip, they’re sometimes with us for three weeks and our shelter is already at capacity.”

The goal is to get animals with homes back to their owners before they have to get adjusted to shelter life and the shelter can focus on animals in need of a home.

The microchipping is made possible by sponsors Dacotah Bank, Boppre Law and Rick’s Jewelry. The presenting sponsor for the Fido 5k event is the Biscuits & Bows Pet Spa.

Also available at the event will be dog treats from Zoey’s Bakery and hotdogs from Fun on a Bun Hot Dog Stand for purchase. Part of these proceeds will go back to SVAS as well.

On Saturday evening, there will be a pet-friendly outdoor party at The East End starting at 6 p.m. for those who want to take their furry friends out on the town.

“After the 5k, you can go home, rest up and then come out to our corn hole tournament and ‘Yappy Hour’ event at The East End,” Waters said.