ARF Hamptons Dog Walk

Calling all canines and their companions. The 23rd annual "Stroll to the Sea" Dog Walk held by the Animal Rescue Fund (ARF) of The Hamptons, will be this Saturday from 9 AM to 12 PM, with the rain date on Sunday. Last year's dog walk netted close to $70,000. Guests can expect dogs of all shapes and sizes. "Every year we hope to get bigger and better . . . former ARFans come back with their new families," Jamie Berger, Director of Marketing and Communications at ARF Hamptons, explained. Berger herself owns an adorable four-year-old Chihuahua-Doxin mix, a 'Chihuini' named Olive. The stroll will begin at Mulford Farm in East Hampton Village and continue two miles down to the ocean. At 11 AM, there will be pet-friendly contests at the beach. Find out who looks the most like their pup, who can perform the best, stupid pet trick, and what pooch has the best smooch! Last year's contestants played the piano and even ate corn, but the fan favorite seems to be the Pooch Who Can Smooch. For all three contests, the winners will receive a crystal dog by Baccarat. In addition, a dog agility course will be set up. There will be a silent auction, a Lucky auction, and Sandy Rapp will perform. This year's prizes for those with the highest amount of money raised for the cause include three nights at the Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay, California, a 2017 summer share at Amber Waves Farm in Amagansett, and a pet page in the 2018 ARF pet calendar. The top children's prize will be a bike from the Sag Harbor Cycle Company. Pledges of $250 or more qualify for an additional gift from Isaac Mizrahi, and a private invite to the Kick-Off Cocktail Party on Friday, hosted by Anne Farro and her pup Brinkley at the waterfront home of Patrick Campion and Richard Ziegelasch. Last year Campion and Ziegelasch, along with their dog, "Rico Suave," raised $10,000. Pre-registration fee is $30 for adults, $35 day of, and free for children under 16 years old. Walkers can register at www.arfhamptons.org. Participants will receive complimentary dog nail clippings and an event tote bag. Along with the tote bag will be an event T-shirt featuring artwork by designer Isaac Mizrahi. ARF Hamptons was founded in 1974 and leads the East End community in animal welfare organizations. Every year they take in 1500 dogs and cats in providing food, shelter, veterinary care, and exercise. ARF's goal is to find loving families for as many of these animals as possible. Their adoption center is located at 91 Daniels Hole Road in Wainscott. You can follow more stories from Nicole Teitler on Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram as Nikki On The Daily.