Animal lovers will have the chance to support their local animal shelter and stay fit this month by participating in the first-ever “Furry Scurry” run by Sandpoint Kids Dentistry.

The virtual fun run will last from Oct. 14 to Oct. 28, and includes prizes drawings for all registered participants from local businesses including Murphy’s Wildflower Spa, Panhandle Cone and Coffee and numerous other businesses.

Participants can register any time during this period by picking up forms at Sandpoint Kid’s Dentistry, the Panhandle Animal Shelter or online at eventbrite.com. Race fees are donation only, and go to support the Panhandle Animal Shelter.

“we’re asking participants to keep in touch with us via the Sandpoint Kids Dentistry page and post their finish time,” said Jessica Lindgren with Sandpoint Kids Dentistry. “We’re trying to make it really attainable for anyone who wants to participate.”

The event allows participants to walk or run five or 10 kilometers at any time during the two-week period, Lindgren said, and was pushed forward by Dr. Amanda Caswell-Burt.

Mandy Evans, Panhandle Animal Shelter executive director, said her children go to Sandpoint Kids Dentistry and the staff there had been talking for a few years about how to help the shelter.

“I thought it would be good to support the shelter during a time like this,” she said.

Evans said she hopes the event will raise awareness of the work the shelter is doing, including work with pet owners outside the shelter to keep them with their pets through the Pets for Life program the shelter participates in.

“A lot of the work is being done outside the shelter and in the community to try to keep people with their pets,” she said.

The work with Pets for Life includes spay and neuter services, pet food and veterinary care, Evans said.

“We literally have people go door-to-door,” she said. “Last year we helped about 350 people.”

The shelter has about 2,500 animals come through the building on an average year, Evans said, but in total, they help about 8,000 people with various animal needs.

In addition to donations, Evans said one of the best ways for the community to support the shelter is by supporting and shopping its thrift store, whose proceeds go back to the shelter.

The shelter also accepts donations of animal food, she said, and posts a weekly wishlist on their Facebook page.

They are also seeking volunteers, Evans said, as COVID-19 has made it more difficult for some volunteers to continue their work there.

She said she’s excited to see children have a chance to learn more about helping out in their community.

“I think it’s really cool to have things like this that incorporate kids,” Evans said. “Bring that civic-mindedness to the children in our community.”