Humane Society "critters" will be featured performers at the first annual "Critter Crawl," starting at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 6 at the Roy L. Schneider Hospital grounds.
The event, a fund-raiser for the St. Thomas Humane Society, was conceived by Charlotte Morris, local runner and Island Bike Tours manager. "We used to see so many homeless, sick animals in Peterborg, where we have the tours," Morris said, "that we decided to do something about it." She said the tour guides used to chip in their tips to pay for spaying and neutering the animals, which inspired Morris' fund-raiser idea. "I know the shelter has no money, so I wanted to do something to help," Morris said.
"I've had so much response from the community," she said. Lockhart Caribbean Corp. contributed the use of the land, and Morris said she has had donations from more than 15 businesses. Gold's Gym, a big sponsor, is offering a week's free gym pass to those who finish the race. There will be a raffle with trips from Seaborne Airlines and Atlantis Submarine, among other prizes.
Morris wants to use the funds the project raises to help with the low-cost spaying/neutering program, and to get hurricane shutters for the shelter.
The highlight of the race will be the animals. Morris has arranged for Hubert Brummant, shelter manager, to bring some of his canine brood to the meet where they can be "adopted" to walk, run or trot along with a racer for a $10 fee. Registration for adults is $10, and $5 for children under 16, for early registration at Gold's Gym or Going Seanile on Veterans Drive, or at Players in Havensight Mall. At the race, registration is $12, (without dog), for adults, and $7 for children under 16.
The race will take the same route the annual Fruit Bowl Jogger Jam uses, but it will start in the field area behind the hospital, not Wheatley Shopping Center. And if you want to carefully pick a running mate, Morris suggests you get out early. Events will begin at 2:30 p.m.
