One dog, two dog, white dog, brown dog. There were dog owners and pets lined up for yards at the Sparks Marina Saturday to support the Nevada Humane Society during the organization’s Walk for Animals fundraiser.

Registration for the event began at 8 a.m. and proved to be an impressive turnout of local animal lovers willing to help raise money for the Humane Society. Many of the people who waited for the walk to begin stood in line and chatted with other pet owners, while people who brought their dogs, which were kept on a leash, let them socialize and play.

“Not only is it a big fundraiser, but it’s also very fun,” said Bonney Brown, executive director of the Nevada Humane Society. “We really believe that pets are part of the family, so letting them be a part of this event reinforces that.”

Brown said this year’s turnout looked larger than last year’s and she hoped that it would help the society reach its goal of raising $100,000, which would go to help animals that are taken in by the shelter. As of the early evening tally, Brown said the walk had raised $73,000 with more donations to count.

She said that each year the Nevada Humane Society gets more than 9,000 animals and it costs of average of $240 to $250 to take care of each animal before new owners adopt them.

Brown said the fundraising is an important part of the Walk for Animals, but that bringing awareness to the community is just as important.

“Bringing all the animal lovers together to help our goal of a no-kill community is a critical part,” Brown said. “Our goal is to save all the animals that are savable. There are always some that are injured or too sick.”

Brown explained that the Nevada Humane Society began working toward the goal of becoming a no-kill community two years ago and has made great strides toward the goal of finding homes for all of the animals that come to the shelter.

In 2008, the local Humane Society was able to save 89.6 percent of the dogs that came to the shelter and 82 percent of the cats, Brown said, with the ultimate goal being 90 percent. Sometimes the shelter has to euthanize pets, she added, because they are too aggressive, but that it is a small percent of the total.

Brown said Washoe County has become the third safest place in the nation for animals who end up in shelters.

Washoe County Commissioner Kitty Jung also attended the Walk for Animals on Saturday and said she hopes that in the future Washoe County will be the safest place in the country for homeless animals.

“I support animal events in Washoe County,” Jung said. “I believe that a reflection of a community’s values and morals is how they take care of the most vulnerable.”

Jung said bringing awareness to the community is important and that she has spoken with a lawyer about bringing a no-kill ordinance to the Washoe County Board of Commissioners, in hopes of making it illegal to euthanize any animal that could be successfully adopted.

“As soon as the attorney gives me an opinion, I will put it on the agenda,” Jung said.

In addition to making the community safe for animals, Jung said she hopes the Walk for Animals inspires people to volunteer and adopt the animals that are at the shelter. She added that she was very happy at the increase in participation from last year’s event.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the community and the county that I represent,” Jung said during the opening ceremony at the walk. “My goal is by next fiscal year, which begins July 1, we are the number one community for no-kill.”

Many of the participants who gathered for the Walk for Animals agreed with Brown and Jung’s goal and believe that the community can come together to help raise awareness.

Elise Amundsen, who brought her dog Archie to Saturday’s walk, said she hopes the event makes the community aware of the animals and shelters in the community.

“Just be aware that the Humane Society is there because I think people forget about it,” Amundsen said.

In addition to the Nevada Humane Society, which brought adoptable dogs to the walk, other pet rescue groups set up tents around the Sparks Marina gazebo in hopes of finding homes for the homeless animals they’ve helped save.

Kris Brown, who was at the walk helping B.A.R.K. rescue group, said that one dog had been adopted at the walk and that the group has five dogs that needed loving homes.

“I think seeing the rescued dogs and seeing what they can do, that’s the way to go,” Brown said about adopting a dog instead of buying a dog from a breeder or store. “We love this event.”

In addition to B.A.R.K., Palomino Valley Pet Rescue and Boxers & Buddies set up booths dedicated to finding homes for pets.

Stacy Hall brought her two daughters and one of their friends to the Walk for Animals. Hall said that her daughters volunteer at the Humane Society but thought it was good to support the shelter at the walk. Her daughters also walked two dogs at the event.

“We hope it raises awareness and inspires people to adopt (pets),” Hall said.

Brown said the Nevada Humane Society is always looking for loving homes for pets, but is in need of foster homes for kittens that are too young to adopt.

“We get 30 kittens a day that are too little to spay or neuter yet,” Brown said, adding that foster homes are temporary and in this case are only needed for a few weeks.

To volunteer for the Humane Society, donate or become a foster family for animals at the shelter, visit www.nevadahumanesociety.org or call 856-2000.