it’s the fifth Anniversary of Run Your Mutt Off! Come out and celebrate with us!
Date: Saturday, June 17, 2023
Time: Registration begins at 8:00am // Fun Run/Walk begins at 9:00am
Where: St James Farm Forest Preserve, 2S541 Winfield Rd, Warrenville (enter at the Butterfield entrance) Click here for map.
Run Your Mutt Off (RYMO) is one of Naperville’s favorite pet-friendly fundraising events, a celebration of community and companionship. Each year, hundreds of animal lovers come out for a day of fun and walk or run to save pets' lives. This untimed fun run/walk is a great outing for everyone, welcoming animal lovers and athletes of all experience levels. All funds raised go directly to help the homeless pets of the Naperville Area Humane Society (NAHS).
NEW this year is our pet costume contest. Here’s how it works: When you register, be sure to check yes or no if you will be participating. Then come to the event with your pet dressed up and ready to strut their stuff. If you really want to go all out, dress up with your pet!
COST: $25 (Ages 13 & Up) / Day of event $30 $15 (Ages 5-12) / Day of event $20 FREE (Ages 4 and under) Whether you are a virtual participant, a walker or runner, or just attending, the fees are the same for all depending on the age group you are in and receive a free Doggie Sak as pictured here. (one per family)
SHOULD I RAISE MORE THAN JUST THE REGISTRATION FEE? YES, absolutely! Run Your Mutt Off is one our biggest fundraisers of the year and we encourage all participants to, not only register for the event, but fundraise as well. Help us reach our fundraising goal of $10,000 to give more animals the second chances they deserve, all while having tons of fun at the best animal get-together in town. Read more about how to become a PAWsome Fundraiser below.
Please note that RYMO will be held rain or shine. Well-socialized dogs are welcome but no retractable leashes please!
BECOME A PAWsome FUNDRAISER!
Just like when creating a Facebook birthday fundraiser, you can create what we like to call a PAWsome Facebook Fundraiser. When you create a Facebook fundraiser you will automatically be entered into our raffle for a chance to win a PAWsome prize! Also, for every $100 in donations you raise, you’ll receive one additional raffle ticket.
Personal fundraising enables people to ask their family, friends and coworkers to help them raise funds by donating directly to their Facebook Fundraiser. After you have registered for the event, simply create your PAWsome Facebook Fundraiser, by clicking the button below. Be sure to name your fundraiser Run Your Mutt Off for Naperville Area Humane Society. Then share it by posting to your Facebook page or sending out an email (or both) and begin accepting donations online, it’s that simple. Be sure to send out posts leading up to the event, reminding family and friends to donate to your fundraiser.
WHAT IF I HAVE CASH OR CHECK DONATIONS TO ADD TO MY FUNDRAISER? Don’t wait to turn your cash donations in on the day of the event, just donate the amount to your Facebook Fundraiser. If you have any checks please mail them in advance so they can be counted to your fundraising. When mailing them in, please fill out the donation tracking form and send it in with your check(s) as well as any matching gift forms. If you prefer to drop off the day of the event you can do so at registration check-in.
YOUR DOG CAN BECOME THE VERY FIRST AMBASSA-DOG!
In celebration of the 5th Anniversary of Run Your Mutt Off we have brought something new to the event that will take place each year called Ambassa-Dog! Adoptable Hilo will be helping us to kick-off the campaign this year!
What is an Ambassa-Dog? After you have registered for the event and created your PAWsome Facebook Fundraiser (as mentioned above) the individual who raises the most money, known as the Top Dog, will win a prize and have their dog caped as the very first NAHS Ambassa-Dog. If the Top Dog fundraiser does not have a dog the runner up’s dog will be crowned.
What role does my dog play as an Ambassa-Dog? Your dog will be caped as the NAHS 2023\2024 Ambassa-Dog at the 2023 opening ceremonies. Their role as Ambassa-Dog will begin with them leading the pack out when the walk/race begins. They will help in promoting, recruiting and encouraging others to register and fundraise leading up to next year’s event. They will also get a photo session with NAHS, where their photos will be featured on all our RYMO marketing materials, website page and social media.
Sponsorship & vendor opportunities
Sponsorships provide an excellent opportunity for individuals, businesses and organizations to reach out to animal lovers and find an audience that believes deeply in animal welfare. But probably the greatest reward is knowing your sponsorship enables NAHS to continue to save the lives of homeless animals and give them a second chance. If you are interested in being a sponsor or a vendor at our FLEA-less market please contact Jenn at jsmiley@naperhumane.org
Sponsorship Levels: $2,500 - Best In Show $1,000 - Alpha Dog $500 - Top Dog $100 - Tail Wagger (Vendor)
Click here to download our sponsorships & vendor packages.
social media toolkit
Social media is the perfect place to let the world know you’re running (or walking) your mutt off to help save homeless animals lives. Please use the artwork below to help guide your social media activity and tell your story. Share why you run or walk your mutt off to help inspire others to join you and register OR to donate to your PAWsome Facebook Fundraiser. Don’t forget to link our website page https://www.naperhumane.org/events-calendar/rymo for them to register at OR link your PAWsome Facebook Fundraiser if you are asking for donations.
USING HASHTAGS: Using hastags makes it easy for the entire social community to rally around a cause. Use #RYMO2023 in your posts and with your photos to create awareness of your participation and so we can follow along with you also. Additional hashtags include #NAHS.
TO USE THE POST & STORY IMAGES: On a desktop place your cursor over the image you want to use. Then right click the image and select "save image as" or on mobile, click on image to open full file, press & hold until a prompt pops up and save image on your camera roll.
Write down why you run your mutt off, then hold up the sign, take a selfie, post it and be sure to tag us! To download the PDF version click here.
qUESTIONS?
DO I HAVE TO HAVE A PET IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE? No, everyone is welcome to participate — with or without a pet! If you bring your pet, please remember that all dogs must be on a 6ft non-retractable leash.
DO I HAVE TO REGISTER EVERYONE WALKING, INCLUDING MY CHILDREN? Everyone participating, ages 5 and up must be registered. Registering helps NAHS save thousands of homeless pets each year, and we encourage participants to create a PAWsome Facebook Fundraiser to help us save even more!
CAN I JUST WATCH WITHOUT REGISTERING? Anyone attending will need to register for RYMO. Your registration fee covers the cost of the event. Plus, fundraising helps us provide food, medical care, vaccinations and helps our animals find their forever home.
IS THERE A PACKET TO PICK UP IF I AM RUNNING? No, the run portion of the event is just for fun. There will be no official timing.
WHAT DOES THE ROUTE LOOK LIKE? Click here to view a map of the route. Runners will line up first with walkers to follow. Click here to view a map of where to enter and park.
WHAT HAPPENS IF IT RAINS? Rain or shine, we'll have a great time! Wonderful things happen when animal lovers come together, no matter the circumstances. Check the weather before you arrive, and dress accordingly.
WHERE SHOULD I SEND CASH AND CHECK DONATIONS? Please mail all offline donations (cash and checks) with your completed donation tracking form as well as any matching gift forms to the address below. These funds will be added to your PAWsome Facebook Fundraiser total.
Naperville Area Humane Society
Attn: RYMO Donations
1620 W. Diehl
Naperville, IL 60563
AS A MEMBER OF THE MEDIA, HOW CAN I COVER THE EVENT, GET PHOTOS, INTERVIEWS, OR LOGOS? Naperville Area Humane Society can accommodate reporters, photographers, and videographers throughout the day. Our staff will be available for interviews and photography. Please contact Kristen Funk at kfunk@naperhumane.org with any questions.
WHO DO I CONTACT IF I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS? Please email our Development & Outreach Director, Jenn Smiley at jsmiley@naperhumane.org.
