Live Music, Food Trucks, & Maker's Marketplace
Walk and fundraise to save the lives of homeless pets and to raise awareness about the homeless pet crisis. Do good and then enjoy the day downtown at Genoa Park. Bring your friends, family, pets and enjoy your lunch, shopping, and live music by Rhythm & Rust while making a difference. Your participation can help change the world for homeless pets this year!
FOOD TRUCKS
Maker's Marketplace
a few of our featured artisans...join us to shop all of our local artists and makers!
SquidCat Ink is a brand that creates greeting cards and prints from artist Simran Khaira's original watercolor paintings. The brand emphasizes environmental sustainability, using 100% recycled paper for its products. SquidCat, Ink aims to bring joy through its artwork and has grown from a few sketchbooks to a line of over 150 items, including stickers and fine art prints.
Easy Care Uncommon Houseplants and All-Natural Plant Care Designed for Beginners. "Happy Planting."
Kako's Closet
🐾dog shirts • bowties • collars • leashes • hats • bandanas • & more | all handmade with love🐶
Apply to Be a Marketplace Vendor
Join our vibrant Maker's Marketplace (you must be selling handmade or crafted goods) and connect with hundreds of people in our community that care about animals. This is a great opportunity to showcase your work and support a cause that matters.
👉 Apply to become a Vendor
Pets Welcome!
By participating in the PetPromise Walk for the Animals you will be part of over 1,000 people and pets walking to raise awareness of the pet overpopulation crisis and how rescue, education, spay and neuter, and adoption are the only way that we can solve this problem!
Walk with others who care about animals and stick around for raffles, contests, prizes, music, shop at the vendors/sponsors marketplace, enjoy lunch from the food trucks while relaxing on the bank of the Scioto River and knowing you made a difference int he life of an animal and for the future of all animals in Ohio.
Do you have a pup who loves meeting new friends, trying new activities, or freebies from local vendors? How about a cat who enjoys walks in an enclosed stroller? They are welcome to attend with you!
2025 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
9:30AM PetPromise Walk for the Animals Marketplace & Festival OPENS.
Early Bird Raffles, Maker’s Market (local artisans with unique finds) & Sponsors Booths, food trucks (Zaki Grill, Fat Boy Burgers Truck, Kona Ice, Broke Johnny Food Truck, Tortilla Street Food, ZAP ZAP Boba Tea) Live Music from Rhythm & Rust, Pet Costume Contest and dog activity stations, and meet some fo the adoptable PetPromsie pets at the PetPromise Booth.
9:30AM CHECK IN for Pet Costume Contest and enter raffles at Information Booth.
9:45AM – PET COSTUME CONTEST judging begins at Fountains across from the Band.
10:00AM PetPromise Walk for the Animals Ambassador Announced
10:20AM – Line Up for Walk Start at Washington Blvd and Rich St.
10:30AM - Singing of the National Anthem: Katie Carson
10:30AM - The 1MI PetPromise Walk for the Animals begins
11:30AM – Top Fundraiser announced; Meet some of the PetPromise Rescued Pets.
11:00AM-2:00PM Enjoy shopping at the curated Maker’s Market including unique local vendors and sponsors booths, special dog activity stations, and sample Mediterranean fare, Boba Tea, Mexican Street food, Breakfast all day, shaved ice, and smash burgers and fair fries on the banks of the Scioto River while enjoying the sounds of Rhythm and Rust with you family, friends and your pets.
2:00PM - THANK YOUS & FAREWELLS
Pet Costume Contest!
Enter your pets in a cute contest showing off their best costume/fit!
Prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.
Register (below) on-line on or before 09/27/25. Check in on event day at (9:30AM at the Information Booth.)
The costume parade and judging will begin promptly at 9:45AM) in front of the fountains in Washington Blvd
PREREGISTRATION REQUIRED!
Register for the
PET COSTUME CONTEST
Sunday Sept. 28th 10am-2
Downtown Columbus Genoa Park
This one-mile walk, fundraiser, with vendor marketplace, food trucks, music and celebration benefits thousands of local dogs and cats in need, helping to ensure they receive the medical care, shelter, rehabilitation, and second chances they deserve -- one step at a time.
When animal lovers like you come together, incredible things happen. When you walk for animals, you walk for more lifesaving medical treatments, more animals rescued from abuse and neglect, and more resources provided to pets in need in underserved communities. Every dollar raised makes a big impact on the animals in our community and the people who love them.
Register to Walk. There’s no registration fee to take part. But we encourage you to set up your fundraising page, and invite your friends and family to donate in honor of your efforts. If you have a group of folks who will be walking together—such as a Community Partner group, a workplace, a club, or even a group of friends—you should register as a team. You can also choose to join an existing team, or support other walkers and teams. The funds you raise will help us continue to rescue and provide lifesaving services to animals in need. When you walk for animals, every step is a second chance.
*All registered participants that raise $50+ will receive a commemorative t-shirt to memorialize their participation and concern for the homeless pet crisis.
*Raise $50+ on or before August 31st and you will receive your t-shirt prior to event day to wear for the Walk!
WALK FOR ANIMALS FAQ's
Date: Sunday, September 28, 2025
Event Location: Genoa Park, 303 W. Broad St. Columbus, OH 43215
Parking Logistics: ARRIVAL AND PARKING:
Event Festivities: 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Opening Ceremony/Walk: 10:15 AM
Post Event Festivities: 11:00 AM- 2:00 PM
How long is the walk? Approximately 1.0 miles
What is allowed at the event: Dogs, Strollers, Wheelchairs
Can participants turn in donations at the event? Cash and checks will not be accepted at the walk, but there will be ways to donate electronically on the day of the event.
Will there be food? Food and vendors with food for purchase will be available. Please bring all forms of payment.
What if it rains on the event day? The event is rain or shine.
Is the event appropriate for children & pets? Yes! The PetPromse Walk for the Animals is a multi-generational and pet-friendly event!
Do kids need to register? Children 12 years old and younger do not need to register but must be accompanied by an adult.
How do I get a T-shirt? All registered participants who raise $50+ on their individual fundraising page will receive a t-shirt.
**If you raise $50+ on or before August 30th, you will get your t-shirt before the event! All other $50+ fundraisers can pick up their shirts or they will be mailed to you after the event.
PRIZE FOR TOP FUNDRAISER!
Honor or Remember
Your Pet
Raise $20 and submit the name of the pet you are walking with, one that you want to honor, or one that you want to remember in the form below.
Your Pet's Name and Year of Birth, Adoption, or the year they crossed the Rainbow Bridge will be memorialized at the Walk on a sign in our Sunshine Garden.
SUNSHINE GARDEN FORM
*A word about dog safety: Dogs need to be leashed (please no retractable leashes) and up-to-date with all vaccinations.
Please use good judgment as far as the temperament and physical capability of your dog for this event.
