Friends of Jupiter Pet Walk returns to Boyce Park in Plum

A charity dog walk is returning to Boyce Park after being conducted virtually the previous few years because of the covid-19 pandemic.

“We were virtual, but I still remained active on social media and people still made donations,” Friends of Jupiter Pet Walk organizer Nicole Orlando said. “I was still able to raise money for the animal rescue, which was amazing.”

The event will take place the morning of April 23 at the Tanglewood Shelter, near the Pierson Run Road entrance to Boyce Park. For those who can’t make the event in person, a virtual option is available.

The 2023 edition will be the ninth for the walk, which has generated more than $42,000 for various shelters since 2015. The last in-person walk, in 2019, raised over $8,000, and the goal set for this year is $10,000.

Named for a pet of Orlando, the Friends of Jupiter Pet Walk benefits Animal Lifeline Pittsburgh, Great Pyrenees Club of Western PA Rescue, Monroeville Animal Shelter, Orphans of the Storm, Tiny Cause and White Oak Animal Safe Haven.

The walk was inspired by a Maltese adopted by Orlando in 2013 from North Central Maltese Rescue, based in Wisconsin. Her family already had a Maltese named Penelope and was looking for a friend for her. They found Jupiter, who was being fostered in Michigan at the time, and quickly fell in love.

Jupiter was born in a puppy mill and had a difficult life prior to his adoption.

“He was just a shy, scared little guy,” said Orlando. “When I found him online at a rescue, I immediately fell in love with him and had to have him.”

Jupiter passed away on June 29, 2020, but his memory lives on through the walk for charity.

The walk is a mile and starts at 10 a.m., with registration at 9, and will take place regardless of the weather. Owners are expected to keep their dogs leashed at all times and under control. Various other rules, including vaccination requirements, can be found at friendsofjupiter.wixsite.com/petwalk.

The event isn’t just a walk, though, and includes various pet-themed vendors until noon. Afterward, participants are invited to a Pups on the Patio party at Dad’s Pub and Grub in Monroeville.

People can sign up for the virtual option through April 23, and one lucky virtual walker will be chosen at random to win a special prize for participating, although the event organizers prefer in-person participation, if possible.

Virtual walkers are encouraged to share their walks by tagging the Friends of Jupiter Pet Walk page on Facebook, using #friendsofjupiterpetwalkpgh, @friendsofjupiterpetwalkpgh on Instagram, or emailing friendsofjupiter@gmail.com.

Sponsorships, donations and registration can be done through the website, with an additional processing fee. The deadline to be a sponsor is April 1 and to mail in a registration form, April 15.