ENCINITAS–For only the second time in history, dogs will be allowed in the San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas for the annual “5K Paw Walk in the Garden” this Saturday morning.

Hundreds of pets and their people will gather to raise funds for the Botanic Garden and your Rancho Coastal Humane Society.

“When we planned the first 5K Paw Walk in the Garden last year we figured that half of the participants would run and the rest would stroll with their pets,” says Rancho Coastal Humane Society spokesman John Van Zante. “Then, on the morning of the event, the first paw ever crossed the starting line followed by nearly 400 people and their pets. We didn’t see any runners. Only animal lovers who enjoyed a morning walk through the beautiful San Diego Botanic Garden.”

“We’re expecting about twice as many walkers and a lot more teams than we had at last year’s 5K Paw Walk in the Garden,” says Jodie Wiebusch, Marketing and Public Relations Manager for SDBG. “Several breed rescues and meet up groups have registered. The largest team will win the ‘Top Dog’ award and earn bragging rights for the next year. Even though this is only the second 5K Paw Walk in the Garden, it’s already become the walk that every dog is begging to go on.”

Van Zante says, “It’s entirely up to each walker how far they want to go. It’s laid out as a 5 kilometer / 3.1 mile course, but there are lots of options. It’s not competitive. It’s just a good excuse for people, with or without pets, to take a Saturday morning walk through San Diego’s most beautiful gardens…while supporting the programs that SDBG and RCHS provide for people and animals.”

Wiebusch adds, “The event is open to any pet that can handle an event of this size with a large number of animals and people. In addition to the 5K Paw Walk, there will be pet products, food (for people), treats (for pets), valuable information, a pet first aid station, and (of course) animals! Afterward walkers will have full access to San Diego Botanic Garden until 2:00. They just need to keep their pets leashed at all times and remember to pick up after their pets.”

Walkers can register for the 5K Paw Walk in the Garden until noon Friday at a reduced rate. Day of event registration starts at 9 a.m. Saturday and the first paw crosses the starting line at 9:30 a.m. To register online, visit www.sdpets.org or www.sdbgarden.org.

More information about the 5K Paw Walk in the Garden is available at Rancho Coastal Humane Society at 389 Requeza Street or SDBG at 230 Quail Gardens Drive in Encinitas.