“The Bert Show” began on Atlanta’s Q100 in 2001 and syndicated into Indianapolis and Nashville the past two and a half years. Bert is the host of the morning show that airs from 5 am-10 am each day on i94 and is supported by Kristin and Jeff as they go about solving listener relationship problems, sharing celebrity news, and helping children in need annually through “Bert’s Big Adventure,” giving chronic and terminally ill children a chance to experience their fondest wish.

All three are pet lovers. Bert is the proud owner of two dogs. Kristin also has two dogs, Parker Jones and Leeroy Brown, and she supports her area rescue shelters. And, Jeff adopted Sadie from the Humane Society in Atlanta last year. Their passion for animal adoption and rescue is part of their personal mission.

You can meet The Bert Show crew at this year’s Mutt Strut on April 27, 2013! We’re very grateful to The Bert Show crew and i94 for their tremendous support of Mutt Strut and the Humane Society of Indianapolis.

Kalen Irsay is entering her first season as Vice Chairman/Owner of the Indianapolis Colts. She joined the team in June of 2010 as vice president and, along with sisters Carlie and Casey, represents the next generation of Colts ownership. Like her sisters, Kalen grew up with the Colts organization, and it has been a significant part of her life since birth. She graduated with honors in 2010 from Indiana University’s School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation with a bachelor’s degree in sports management and marketing, making the dean’s list three semesters. She is involved, on a daily basis, in corporate sales and community outreach programs, and she currently serves on the board of the United Way of Central Indiana. Kalen was born and resides in Indianapolis.

Kalen’s cat, Kitty (pictured below), is an IndyHumane alumnus. She also has two dogs, George and Penny (above, left and below, right), who are best buddies and participated together in Mutt Strut in 2012. We’re grateful for Kalen’s support of the important work we do. Follow Kalen on Twitter (@kalenirsay), and please thank her for her support!

Graham Rahal was born in Columbus, Ohio and graduated from New Albany High School in 2007. The Ohio native grew up attending race tracks around the world with his father, 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal and cut his teeth in karting and moved up the formula ranks. In 2008, a victory at Saint Petersburg – in his IndyCar Series debut – made him the youngest winner in major open-wheel racing history. Graham is an avid animal lover and grew up with many pets in his home. While living in Columbus, Ohio his mother Debi worked with the Columbus Zoo and Graham’s godfather, Jack Hanna, to nurse injured animals back to health. During this time many different animals were in and out of Graham’s home. The list includes dogs, cats, sugar gliders, horses, birds, and even a white tiger named Taj.

Graham’s love for animals grew with age and once he moved into his own home he adopted two sister lab pitbull mixes, Deo and Dove. Next came a golden retriever named Dude and last but not least their newest addition to the family, a golden doodle named Dexter. Graham and his girlfriend Laken love to take their dogs on walks, swimming, trips to the park for a game of fetch, or even just a daily nap. “It’s true what they say, dogs really are a man’s best friend. I’m very honored to be partnering up with the Humane Society of Indianapolis through my foundation, The Graham Rahal Foundation. I hope we can raise a great deal of money together for an even greater cause.”

Mutt Strut is your chance to walk (with or without a pet) around the famous 2 and 1/2 mile oval at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Why do you think Mutt Strut has been named “Best Charitable Event” by NUVO readers four years in a row? Join us, you’ll see!

Looking for ways to help? We’re currently seeking sponsors for this year’s event. Visit the sponsor page for more information. Want to make the event even more fun? Create or join a Pack (team)! Find out more info here, or email muttstrut@indyhumane.org for more information. Volunteer registration will open in February.

Thank you for your support of Mutt Strut and the Humane Society of Indianapolis! We hope to see you at the Track for The Greatest Spectacle in Dog Walking!

Under the leadership of this year’s honorary chairpersons, Indianapolis Colts vice president Kalen Irsay, IndyCar team owner Sarah Fisher, and IndyCar driver Graham Rahal, Mutt Strut attracted participants from 15 states and from 91 cities in Indiana.

More than 6000 walkers believe so strongly in the work of IndyHumane that they collected donations from family, friends and coworkers. This year, participant fundraising increased more than 27 percent compared to last year. The number of donors was estimated to be more than 2,000 (500 more than 2011), which reinforces the mission and successes of IndyHumane throughout the community.

This year’s top fundraiser, Karen Davis, single-handedly raised nearly $7,500 on behalf of Mutt Strut. Her dog, Pierce, will be the “Top Dog” during IndyHumane’s 2013 Mutt Strut, serving as IndyHumane’s “ambassadog.” Packs (aka “teams”) also competed to be the top fundraising group. Simon PAW-perty Group took the number one spot, raising more than $19,000. First Friend K-9 Training gave them a run for their money, raising more than $15,000.

Mutt Strut could not take place without the generosity of our corporate sponsors as well. This year 72 corporate sponsors helped defray event costs. They are acknowledged on the sponsorship page; please communicate your thanks for their support if you interact with them.

Many of our corporate sponsors and 20 non-profits joined the festivities at “Party on the Plaza.” Those festivities included information, entertainment and canine demonstrations by Indy Dog and Disc Club, IndyHumane’s Canine Training School, Midwest Search Dogs, Methodist Hospital’s K-9 Unit and others.

Grand marshals included Sarah Fisher, Kalen Irsay, Channel 6 chief meteorologist Kevin Gregory, radio station I-94’s host Marco and Harrison College president Jason Konesco. Canine grand marshals included Butler University’s Blue II and Blue III (“Trip”) and the 2011 Top Dog, Siberian husky Lepa and her owner Wendy Goshert.

Don’t forget: IndyHumane doesn’t euthanize animals for lack of space or time. Our medical team spays/neuters every animal before adoption and provides a range of life-saving treatments to animals in need. Without your support, we could not afford to invest the $600 to $800 in the animals who so need our help.

If you joined us at Mutt Strut 2012, thank you! Help us recruit even more supporters for the 2013 event by inviting your friends! “Bark” your calendar for Saturday, April 27, as Harrison College presents the tenth annual Mutt Strut benefiting the Humane Society of Indianapolis.

But, that shouldn’t keep you away! You can register beginning at 9:30 am on Saturday right on the Plaza!

• Ages 16 and over: $40
• Ages 8-15: $30
• Ages 7 and under: Free (free registrations don’t receive a t-shirt)

We’ll see you Saturday April 28th for the Greatest Spectacle in Dog Walking!!

Facebook

Here are some status update suggestions for your personal facebook page (to post them on your facebook, highlight the text, copy and paste into the status update box):

Is the spring weather too unpredictable for you? Make plans rain or shine, to join me at this years Mutt Strut on April 28th! Register today at http://www.indymuttstrut.org

Mutt Strut directly saves lives of the homeless animals of Indianapolis. I’m registered for Mutt Strut to help IndyHumane in their mission to treat every animal with compassion and respect! Join me in supporting this cause on April 28th! Find out how to register or donate here: http://www.indymuttstrut.org

My dog and I are training hard for this year’s Mutt Strut, so we can make it around the track at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway! Register now and join me on April 28th for an exciting day at the track! http://www.indymuttstrut.org

Join my Pack today for this year’s Mutt Strut! My Pack has raised ______ so far for the homeless animals at IndyHumane, and we’d like you to walk with us on April 28th at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Join us by registering: http://www.indymuttstrut.org

Add the new Mutt Strut-themed Timeline Cover photo to your page and tell your friends about this amazing event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway supporting IndyHumane!

1. Right-click the image and save it to your computer

2. Left-click the image and it will take you straight to facebook.

3. Go to your Timeline, and mouse over your cover photo, then click “Change Cover.”

4. Click “Upload” and choose the file from your computer.

5. Save the changes and admire your new Cover Photo.

For guys:

For gals:

Twitter

Let’s get #MuttStrut2012 trending on twitter! Here are some tweet suggestions to help us make a difference through this event.

Spring weather too unpredictable 4 you? Make plans rain or shine, to join me at this #MuttStrut2012! Register today @ http://www.indymuttstrut.org

Support the mission of @IndyHumane, Indy’s largest non-profit shelter, by registering for #MuttStrut2012! http://www.indymuttstrut.org

Training hard with my pup for #MuttStrut2012, so we can make it around the track @IMS! Register & Join us April 28th! http://www.indymuttstrut.org

My #MuttStrut2012 Pack has raised ______ so far for the homeless animals @IndyHumane. Walk with us on April 28th @IMS. http://www.indymuttstrut.org