Organizers are taking signups now and it is $30 for those who pre-register by March 1. Early birds get an event T-shirt and save five bucks over the day-of-race registration donation of $35.

Southwest Florida residents will be able to bring along their favorite pets to join in a 5K to benefit local animals next month.

The inaugural Cape Coral Animal Shelter Rescue Run 2021 5K, Bringing New Hope to Homeless Pets, is scheduled to step off a 8 a.m. March 20, beginning and ending at the shelter.

Organizers are taking signups now and it is $30 for those who pre-register by March 1. Early birds get an event T-shirt and save five bucks over the day-of-race registration donation of $35.

Shelter board member Pamela Aubuchon created the rescue run in 2020 in hopes the event would bring together both current and new supporters from Cape Coral and Fort Myers having a fun and health minded event while fundraising for CCAS.

Unfortunately, the original run was put on hold due to COVID-19, but the shelter has been thriving since opening a year ago next month.

“2020 was a year filled with life changing daily challenges. There is only one good thing I can take from 2020, and that is the Cape Coral Animal Shelter opened to the public on March 19, 2020 and we began on our road to saving so many lives and helping the community pets,” Aubuchon said. “This past Sunday, we adopted out our 1,000th pet to a loving, forever home. Now that is something amazing to celebrate.”

The 5K route is designed to be run through the neighborhood surrounding the shelter. The event is a timed run with award medals and trophies given out to those runners with the best times. 3D Racing is organizing the race course and timing the event.

Dogs are welcome with standard leashes only; no retractable leashes will be permitted. As always, be prepared to pick up after your pet.

All event proceeds will go directly to the care of all of the animals at CCAS.

“All donations to the Cape Coral Animal Shelter allow our organization to continue on our very important mission,” Aubuchon said. “The Cape Coral Animal Shelter will bring hope to Southwest Florida’s homeless dogs and cats by understanding their needs and bringing an increased level of awareness to the intolerance of animal abuse in our community. Animal guests in our care will receive excellent medical care and rehabilitation training whereby upon readiness these pets can be placed in a qualified and loving forever home.”

The shelter offers a new state-of-the-art Veterinary Clinic to care for shelter animals and is open to the public at low-cost rates for all offered services, officials said.

CCAS’s clinic is now open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, however appointments are highly recommended.

Event entry packet and runner’s shirt pick-up day is March 19 at The Run Shoppe from noon to 5 p.m. at 1407 Cape Coral Parkway E.

Entry packets and shirt can also be claimed at check in on event day at 7 a.m.

“Together, we can run the higher road in our community through awareness, leadership, education and training for the well-being for all two legged and four legged in our community,” Aubuchon said.

For more information on CCAS, adoptable pets, and to register for the 5K., visit www.capecoralanimalshelter.com. Participants can also register at The Run Shoppe.

–Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj