Furry 5K Fun Run and Walk

Join other animal lovers in the Seattle area to raise money for the Seattle Animal Shelter!

The 2026 Furry 5K Fun Run & Walk will take place on Sunday, June 14 at Seward Park. When the race is over, stick around for our Paws in the Park, which includes entertainment, a pet costume contest, awards, sponsors, and an interactive vendor area. 

Date: Sunday, June 14, 2026

Start Times:

• Day of Registration & Packet Pickup 10:00 a.m.

• Runners Start 11:30 a.m.

• Walkers Start 11:40 a.m.

Distance: 5K / 3.1 mi

Early Bird Registration: $40
Registration after April 22: $45
Day of Race Registration: $50

5K Running Participants Finisher Awards

The Furry 5K awards ceremony takes place at 12:30 p.m. at the event stage. Awards will be presented for the following:

• Medals for the overall first, second and third place male, female and non-binary runners.
• Medals for first, second and third place male, female and non-binary runners with a dog.

Race Timing

Race Timing and results are provided by Negative Split Event Timing. Walkers will not be timed. 2025 Furry 5k race results here. 

Sponsorship of the Furry 5K Fun Run & Walk offers excellent visibility and opportunity to demonstrate your organization’s interest in providing support to Seattle’s most vulnerable animals. By helping animals in need and educating families and communities, it is a great way to gain exposure for your products or services with a target audience of animal lovers.

We offer a variety of sponsorship packages, one of which is sure to fit your needs and budget.

Learn more about sponsorship opportunities HERE.

Interested in becoming a sponsor? Contact Kavitha Peters at kavitha@gfsevents.org 

Join the Furry 5K as a vendor!

• Vendor Booth Fee: $300
• Non-Profit/Rescue Booth Fee: $150

Booths are uncovered in a 10’ x 10’ space. Vendors must supply their own materials (canopies, tables, chairs, etc.) and are responsible for all set-up and take-down. Vendors are required to stay in their assigned space and required to stay for the duration of the festival.

Questions? Contact Kavitha Peters at kavitha@gfsevents.org

For general information about the Furry 5K, including the event schedule, location and registration fees please visit the race information section of our website.

I can't make the race. Can I make a donation?
Absolutely! If you would like to make a donation directly to the Seattle Animal Shelter, you can easily donate here.

What is included with my registration?
With your registration you will receive a Furry 5K T-shirt and other race swag.

Is the registration fee for the whole family or per person?
The registration fee is per person. We do not offer a family registration fee.

When can I pick up my race packet and T-shirt?
Early packet pickup will be held at the Seattle Animal Shelter Conference room (2061 15th Ave W, Seattle, WA 98119) on Saturday, June 13th time TBD. We encourage participants to pick up their packets in advance if possible to avoid lines and reduce congestion in the registration on the day of the event. You may pick up packets on behalf of team members or friends. Race-day packet pickup will be available 10 - 11:15 a.m., Sunday, June 14 at the Seward Park Registration Area. 

Will food and drinks be available for purchase?
Yes. Food trucks will attend our Vendor Fair. Water will be available for purchase from our food truck vendors, and we will provide water for human and dog walkers and runners, but you are also welcome to bring your own water from home. Please, no glass containers.

I don't have a dog. Can I still participate in the race?
Of course! Everyone is welcome to participate in the Furry 5K. (By the way, we will have wonderful dogs on site who will be available for adoption!)

My puppy is not quite 6 months old but is very active. Is it okay to bring him to the race?
You may bring your puppy to the race, but you will need to participate in the walk, not the run. This rule was established with your puppy’s best interests and health in mind.

Will there be shelter pets at the race? It would be great to see all the animals available for adoption.
While there will be shelter pets at the race, we recommend stopping by the shelter after the race to see all the animals available for adoption. Visit the Seattle Animal Shelter's website for more information. The shelter is located at 2016 15th Ave. W., and is open for adoptions Tuesday through Sunday from 1 - 5 p.m.

Can I bring an animal that's not a dog?
We discourage bringing animals other than well-behaved dogs to the Furry 5K. We cannot assume that all dogs at the race will respond well to other animals. However, this event benefits ALL ANIMALS at the Seattle Animal Shelter!

Can I use my inline skates or ride my scooter or bike?
No, we ask that recreational sports equipment not be used. This is for the safety of all participants, human and animals. The use of mobility devices, including wheelchairs and other power-driven mobility devices, are allowed in all areas open to the public. 

Are baby strollers allowed?
Yes.

Does my child need his/her own registration?
Yes, we ask that you register your child. This is a fundraiser for the Seattle Animal Shelter, so we hope that you will think of the registration fees simply as a donation to a good cause.

How do I get to the Furry 5K?
From I-5, go east on I-90.
Take the Rainier Avenue South exit (exit #3). Turn right onto Rainier Avenue South.
After about 3.1 miles, turn left on South Orcas Street. Continue for 0.9 miles.
Continue onto Lake Washington Boulevard South for about 600 feet to Seward Park.

Something came up, and I can't make the race. Can I get a refund?
No, all registrations/sales are final. Please know your registration fee is going to a worthy cause.

Can I transfer my registration to someone else?
No, all registrations/sales are final, and we are unable to edit registrations. Please ask the other person to register themselves.

Is there a gear check?
Yes, you may check your gear at the registration area up until the start of the race. Please leave valuables at home. The Seattle Animal Shelter, Furry 5K and GFS Events will not be responsible for loss of any checked gear, including wallets, keys, cell phones, etc. Thank you for your understanding.

Join us in supporting shelter pets in need by becoming a fundraiser!

Get your friends, family, and co-workers involved to raise additional funds by creating a personal or team fundraising page. 

In 2025 alone, the Seattle Animal Shelter helped: 

• 1,535 pets receive potentially life-saving vaccines at our free community clinics
• 2,662 animals were supported by our Animal Care team
• 600+ lost or stray pets were reunited with their owners—including XX.
• 1,890 pets were served by our low-cost spay and neuter clinic
• 2,091 pets were served by our veterinary team, which provided free and life-saving care
• 2,576 parks patrols conducted
• And over 6,553 cases investigated this year by our Animal Control team
• And over 14,000 hours of service provided by our incredible volunteers.

Our goal is to reach $125,000 in donations and only you can help us get there! So, get registered, set up your fundraiser, and let’s help the animals!

PRIZES TO FUNDRAISE 

Prizes will be awarded at the Furry 5K Fun Run & Walk to the top Individual and top Team Fundraisers!

Thank you for joining us for the 2026 Furry 5K Fun Run & Walk as a fundraiser for yourself or as a team captain! Your fundraising makes a difference and every dollar you raise supports the Seattle Animal Shelter's mission to provide critical services for our community's most vulnerable animals.

Here are some tips and tools to help you get started and guide you through the fundraising process:

• Start your fundraiser profile: Set up your individual or team fundraising page by creating your own profile for you or your team. This is where you set your fundraising goals and messaging. Create your fundraiser profile here!
• Personalize your fundraising page: The most important thing you can add to your page is why you are fundraising to support Seattle Animal Shelter pets. Let your family and friends know why this matters to you. That is what they care about most! If your fundraiser is in honor of a special pet, feel free to include their picture.
• Set your fundraising goal: If you choose your goal amount for a specific reason, tell people why. Be intentional about the amount you are asking for and try to relate it back to the cause. Not all fundraising has to be done with one donation, sometimes even raising $1 a day can help reach any fundraising goal.
• Kickstart your fundraising: Show your commitment by donating to your own fundraising goal and share your fundraiser to others – have fun with it! This can be asking your employer to match your gift, friends and family, or any connection within your network. The world is your oyster.
• Make a clear ask: Asking your network for money can feel scary but remember, you are asking for someone to contribute to a cause that is important to you. Providing a clear ask helps people know what is appropriate and what you are hoping for. It can actually help your donors feel more comfortable in their giving.
• Spread the word on social media: Share your fundraising page on social media and promote your fundraising goals (be sure to include the link to your page). One of the best strategies to use social media for is to tag and thank people that have already donated while you are asking for new donations. This spreads your message further and lets people know that others are already getting behind you.
• Don't forget to say "Thank You!": Personally thank each person who donates by sending them a handwritten note, an email, calling them, or giving them a shout-out on social media. Saying thank you means they’ll likely be more willing to continue to donate!

TIPS FOR TEAM CAPTAINS

• Set a goal: Create your team fundraising goal and set a goal for the number of people you will recruit for your team.
• Recruit team members: Create your team fundraising goal and set a goal for the number of people you will recruit for your team.
• Rally your team: Create an email or Facebook group to share stories, words of encouragement, and key fundraising tips.
• Create Excitement: Host a kickoff meeting or event to share why supporting the shelter pets is important to you and get your team energized.
• Support your team: Send fundraising tips and ideas to all your team members and highlight the team’s top fundraising members.
• Incentives: Create fundraising incentives for your team members to encourage them to meet or exceed their fundraising goals. And of course, check out the incentives for the Furry 5K offerings!

TEN FUNDRAISING IDEAS 

• The Power of 10: Ask 10 friends to donate $15 each to reach a fundraising milestone of $150! 
• Donation for Days: Ask people to donate an amount per each kilometer of your 5k (3.1 miles). Instead of a $25 donation, encourage them to make three $20 donations!
• Birthday: In lieu of a gift for your birthday, ask your friends and family to make a donation to your Furry 5K fundraiser.
• Ask Your Neighbors: Write a note to all of the animal-loving neighbors on your block or in your apartment building to ask for donations.
• Yard Sign: Design a yard sign for your front yard that you can use to promote your fundraiser.
• Help Out Your Neighbors: Walk the neighbors’ dogs for a donation or dog sit while pet owners are on vacation.
• Incentives: Tell everyone that for every $50 they donate, they get a chance to win something (for instance, your world-famous brownies).
• Coffee Sacrifice: Do your friends love their coffee? Ask them to donate what they would have spent on a cup of Joe. $5 from 10 people is $50!
• Wear Your Gear: Are you a long time Furry 5K participant? Wear your old race t-shirt when you go out to walk your dog. This is a great way to get others to learn about the Furry 5K and start the conversation about supporting you.
• Share Your Inspiration: Help spread the word by sharing a picture of you with your favorite pet(s) on social media, tag with #Furry5K and share your fundraising page.

RACE PACKET & T-SHIRT PICKUP

If you registered before the race, there are two ways to pick up your race packet and T-shirt: 

• Early Packet Pickup: 

  • Saturday, June 13 - time TBD

  • Seattle Animal Shelter Conference Room (2061 15th Ave W, Seattle, WA 98119) - Second floor entrance faces 15th Avenue

• Race Day Packet Pickup:

  • Sunday, June 14 from 10 - 11:15 a.m.

  • Seward Park Registration Area

We encourage participants to pick up their packets in advance if possible to avoid lines and reduce congestion at registration on the day of the event. You may pick up packets on behalf of team members or friends.

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

ENTERTAINMENT

When the race is over, stick around for Paws in the Park, when the entertainment begins! Watch our adoption parade, participate in our pet costume contest and win some prizes.

VENDOR BOOTHS

Visit our sponsors and vendors during and after the race. Vendors include pet product and service companies, local businesses and other nonprofit organizations.

FOOD & DRINKS

Food truck vendors will be on site with food and drinks available for purchase.

Join us for the Furry 5K Fun Run & Walk Pet Costume Contest! This will be your chance to show off your pet's creative side! All participants - walkers, joggers and runners - are encouraged to dress up their pets for our Pet Costume Contest, held after the race. We can't wait to see what you come up with! Prizes will be awarded to the winners!

How to Participate:

• Dress up your dog in their best costume!
• After you have picked up your packet for the race please check in at the Pet Costume Contest table next to the photo booth between 10 - 11:30 a.m.
• Entrants must fill out a form with your name, your contact information, your pet's name, along with a description of your pet and the costume they are wearing so we can easily announce your pet. 
• Contest will be held at 1:20 p.m. at the stage. Must be present to win.

Contest Categories 

• Most Creative Costume: This is the "OMG, I would have never thought of that!" category.
• Best Owner/Handler Look-a-Like: Do you look like or dress like your pet?
• Best Group Costume: This is for groups of 3 or more.

Judging 

• The audience will be the judges! Winners will be determined by the most applause, noise level and enthusiasm.

Contest Rules 

• Entrants must fill out a form ahead of time with your name, contact information, your pet's name, along with a description of your pet and the costume they are wearing so we can announce your pet. 
• Entrants must gather at the stage at 1:15 p.m.
• No entrant is eligible for more than one award. One winner per category.
• You must be present at the stage to win.

Please find our 2025 Furry 5k race results here. 

Race Route

When: Sunday, June 14, 2026

Address: Seward Park, 5900 Lake Washington Blvd. S., Seattle, WA 98118

Distance: 5 kilometers / 3.1 miles

Safety Counts

Please follow these safety guidelines to ensure a great event for all.

• Dogs must be on leashes at all times.
• No retractable leashes.
• Leashes must not be longer than 8 feet (Seattle Municipal Code).
• Dogs under 6 months of age must participate in the walk, not run.
• No female dogs in heat.
• No aggressive dogs.
• All dogs must be current on vaccinations.

An amazing T-shirt and other swag from our amazing sponsors and partners!