In 2019 we combined two long running events, the Walk for Animals and the Halloween Pet Parade, to create the Howl-o-Walkoween. This event is the biggest fundraiser at Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control raising funds to support efforts to end animal abuse and neglect education.
The Humane Education Department at Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control has been teaching empathy and compassion to children in our community for more than 30 years. Funds raised at this event helps provide Kind News, a humane education magazine, to more than 12,000 children in Allen County. It also helps fund programming for at-risk youth, summer camps, and educational programming at the shelter.
Humane Education is so important for our community because the values taught work to create a more compassionate, empathetic and kind community. It is well known and understood that there is a direct link between animal abuse and neglect and other forms of abuse like domestic violence, child abuse and elder abuse. Oftentimes animal abuse or neglect is a "red flag" that people living in the home are not safe.
Research has also shown that abuse is cyclical and children who experience abuse are more likely to be abusers in adulthood, oftentimes starting by hurting animals.
It's our goal to break that cycle of violence by intervening at a young age and teaching kindness, compassion and empathy. The vital programs are only possible with your generous support.