A Beautiful Day to Raise Over $217,000 and Counting for Homeless Pets
Richmond SPCA's 24th Annual Dog Jog, 5K & Block Party
Update: As of March 23, 2026, we have officially surpassed our fundraising goal — raising over $224,000 for homeless pets. Thank you!
On Saturday, the community gathered for our 24th annual Dog Jog, 5K, and Block Party, presented by Holiday Barn Pet Resorts. Despite a few detours along the way – our neighborhood’s experiencing a major glow up – participants excitedly toed the line for our 5K, sponsored by Williams Mullen, as planned.
Greg McQuade was back to kick-off events, representing one of our longtime media sponsors, CBS6. DJ Kobe got the crowd pumped with his upbeat mixes before taking over the mic to emcee our Kids Fun Run, sponsored by RVA Pediatrics, and a participant favorite, our signature Dog Jog, sponsored by - Edward Jones - Mellon Wealth Management. The weather was beautiful for all three events, even getting a bit warm for March in Richmond. Big thanks to VCU Health Pauley Heart Center for ensuring our participants had access to water, snacks, and more at the Runner Recovery Tent.
The Richmond SPCA Running Buddies, a dedicated volunteer group that ensures our dogs get the exercise and fresh air they need year-round, led the way in fundraising with more than $22,000 raised for the homeless pets in our care. We also learned it was our fearless running buddy captain’s birthday yesterday, happy birthday Laura! Team Running Buddies was out in full force, taking a handful of our shelter pups across the Dog Jog finish line. There were quite a few pup cups enjoyed by our furry participants because they deserve a post-run treat, too.
None of these events would be possible without the support of our pre-event partners. Huge shoutout to our registration sponsor, James River Air, helping us reach nearly 850 participants. Those participants were able to efficiently pick up their race packets in advance thanks to a drive-through packet pick up made possible by Michael and Son Services.
The festivities continued all afternoon at our free community Block Party, presented by Moore Subaru. Attendees enjoyed an Outdoor Marketplace, sponsored by Adopt a Shelter Plus, with vendors for runners, spectators, kids, and pets. Live music and entertainment, courtesy of The Bakery Recording Studios, set the mood for this beautiful spring afternoon. Food, treats, and beverages were available and adult attendees could enjoy refreshing drinks brought to us by Tito’s Vodka and Brown Distributing.
The kids had a blast in their dedicated Fun Zone featuring a bounce house, face painting, and more thanks to Genworth|Carescout. The many beloved dogs that strolled the Block Party throughout the day also had a dedicated Fun Zone thanks to Apex Systems. Pets and their guardians could even try out agility training with our talented Richmond SPCA training team.
New this year, our neighbors Park RVA joined the festivities, hosting an After Pawty down the street. Attendees could continue their fun with food, games, a pet friendly patio all evening long.
Both attendees and those who couldn’t make it were able to support the event through donations and our annual Dog Jog raffle, sponsored by Entec Systems. Altogether participants, sponsors, vendors, fundraisers and raffle ticket purchases helped raise over $217,000 for vulnerable pets in the care of the Richmond SPCA, and we are still totaling thanks to the generosity of the amazing Greater Richmond community.
As always, this event would not have been possible without the hard work of event chair Andrea Gould. Andrea brings her passion, expertise, and love of animals to the Dog Jog, 5K, and Block Party year after year, and we are forever grateful to her and the entire event committee.
On behalf of the staff, board, the pets in our shelter, patients in our Susan M. Markel Veterinary Hospital, and our generous presenting sponsor, Holiday Barn Pet Resorts, we thank each and every one of you for joining us this weekend to make a huge impact on the lives of homeless pets and the guardians who bring them into their lives. We couldn’t do this lifesaving work without you.
Photos courtesy of Rich Terrell, Oana Crisp, and Gabriela Rivera.
