FARMINGTON — A variety of adorable dogs milled about at the Titcomb Mountain Ski Slope as the Franklin County Animal Shelter hosted its 10th annual Strut for Strays 5k event on Sept. 7. This year there were 72 participants.

Participants of the 5k were encouraged to bring their dogs to walk/run with them to advocate for strays. According to the FCAS website, “Every stride you take will pave the way for a brighter future for them.”

Not only did participants show their support for stray animals, but the pre-registration fee of $25 or day-of fee of $30 went directly to the shelter to provide food, supplies, and medical care to the animals awaiting adoption.

The dedication toward this event and fundraiser is so important to the FCAS that even the COVID-19 outbreak didn’t stop this event from happening in 2020. According to Social Media Manager and Receptionist Petra Smat at FCAS, a virtual Strut for Strays event was held during that year in which participants mapped out their own 5k and walked or ran it on their own or with their dogs. Many participants that year tracked their walk/run and sent the map to the shelter as proof.

FCAS will hold an auction with items donated from local businesses on their website during the first week of October. Updates and more information can be found on their Facebook Page.