THOMASVILLE — Miss Kitty Feline Sanctuary will host their inaugural Paws in the Park walk and pet microchip clinic at Cherokee Park on Saturday, Nov. 9 from 8-11 a.m.

Attendees and their human companions will walk a one-mile path around Lake Cherokee while being cheered on by volunteers. The walk itself is non-competitive. Participants can arrive anytime between 8-11 a.m. and walk at their own pace.

“We’re trying to get people out with their animals and realize what a great setting we have at Cherokee Park,” said Carol Jones, executive director at Miss Kitty. “It’s a great way to get exercise for themselves and their pets.”

The event is held in celebration of Miss Kitty’s 10th anniversary. 

Jones said by the end of the year Miss Kitty will have spayed and neutered nearly 30,000 cats in southwest Georgia.

Registration fees will cover the cost of a microchip for a dog or cat.

Microchips will also be available for non-registered pets for $10 while supplies last. 

“If someone wants to roll up and say ‘hey, I need a microchip for my cat or dog,’ we will accommodate them,” Jones said.

All microchips include a lifetime registration, which means pet owners will never have to pay to update their contact information.

Adoptable dogs from the Thomasville-Thomas County Humane Society and Best Friends Dog Rescue in Cairo will also be present at the event.

Attendees will have the opportunity to enter up to three different raffles to win a motorized scooter, a rug and pillow combination from Rug Gallery or a Victorian-style dollhouse. Raffle drawings will take place Dec. 13 at Thomasville’s Victorian Christmas.

All proceeds from the event will benefit shelter dogs at the Thomasville-Thomas County Humane Society and spaying and neutering efforts for community cats in Thomasville and the surrounding area at Miss Kitty. The proceeds will be split evenly between the two groups.

Registration can be completed online at localraces.com.

Early registration for the event costs $25. Same-day registration costs $30.

Pre-registered participants will receive a bag with items for pets and their owners, a T-shirt and a free microchip.

The event is open to dogs that are six months or older who are current on their rabies vaccines.