West Milford This year’s theme for the West Milford Animal Shelter’s annual Walk-A-Dog-Athon on Sunday, Oct. 15, is every “paw” coming to the event will be counted, and special entrance prizes will be given for the first paw, the fiftieth paw and the one hundredth paw to register. But no paw will go unrewarded every registered dog will receive a goodie bag and bandana. The event takes place at Wawayanda State Park on Warwick Turnpike in Hewitt, N.J., from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The rain date is Oct. 22. As for their owners, four prizes will be awarded to the participants that raise the four highest donation amounts. All participants are eligible to win one of four great prizes by sponsoring themselves, obtaining sponsors or collecting donations. Enter alone, as a family, a group or business, but the four highest totals presented at the walk will win. The prizes include a grand prize of $500 cash, a first-prize $400 gift certificate from Ortolani Jewelers in Hewitt, N.J. a second-prize $300 gift certificate from ShopRite Supermarket in West Milford, N.J. and a third-prize gift certificate for two tickets to the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, N.J. Prizes and ribbons will also be awarded in five contests, best dressed (dog and owner), smallest and largest by size, best trick, best behaved (basic commands) and pucker-up (best kisser). Judging will start at 1:30 p.m., and registration is free. The West Milford Animal Shelter is 100 percent operated and maintained. All donations directly support the over 1,000 homeless animals that arrive at the shelter annually. The volunteers care for these animals 365 days a year. Nationwide, shelters achieve adoption rates of 20-25 percent. With the support of the local community, the shelter has an annual adoption rate of 80 percent. It has also been featured nationally in the ASPCA’s publication, Animal Watch and Cat Fancy Magazine. Take a leisurely walk in the park and help homeless shelter animals. Come with or without your dog and enjoy the day. Refreshments will be provided for dogs and their owners. Flyers/registration forms for this event can be requested by phone at 973-728-2859, picked-up at the shelter or found online at www.westmilfordanimalshelter.org. The shelter is located on Lycosky Drive in West Milford, behind the recycling center, and is open to the public Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesday evenings, 7:30 -9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.