Kanab's Best Friends hosting its first local Strut Your Mutt Saturday

For the first time in its history, Kanab's Best Friends Animal Sanctuary will host a Strut Your Mutt fundraiser Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 5001 Angel Canyon Road.

Check-in begins at 8 a.m. and the leisurely 1-mile dog walk launches at 9 a.m. followed by several pet-focused activities that include a dog agility course, PAW­dicures and Groom tips, Ask the BFAS trainer, the Little Spectacle dog and pony show and more.

The goal of the Kanab strut, billed as the first of what will become an annual event, is to raise $35,000, part of a nationwide effort to gather $2 million that will benefit 240 local animal shelter and rescue groups throughout the country.

"For close to 30 years, Best Friends Animal Society has been working to reduce the number of deaths and put an end to the killing of shelter animals," Gregory Castle, Best Friends' chief executive officer, said in a statement.

The yearly Strut Your Mutt serves as a celebration of that continuing fight, Castle added. Similar events are taking place throughout September in several cities nationwide, including Salt Lake City on Sept. 21.

Individuals can register on-site Saturday for $35, couples for $60 and $25 for kids under 12 who want a Strut Your Mutt T-shirt. Without a T-shirt, kids get in for free. Virtual registration for non-participants is $10. For more information, go to www.strutyourmutt.org/Kanab.

According to Best Friends Animal Society, more than 9,000 homeless pets are killed daily in America's shelters. Donations are used to fund adoption programs and spay/neuter services that can reduce the number of animals landing in shelters.

cmckitrick@sltrib.com

Twitter: @catmck