Panting Four Paws Festival

Our Story

Helping Paws Animal Shelter (HP), legally known as the Fox Valley Helping Paws Animal Welfare Association, Inc., was established in 1969 with a foster program which rehomed orphaned animals into permanent, loving homes. In 1971, Helping Paws incorporated as the first no-kill, animal welfare association in McHenry County. Our first storefront location was on Route 14, across from Andy’s Restaurant at 465 Virginia Street.

In 1995, we rented a facility in Ridgefield, IL, which was only able to house cats and then three years later purchased and remodeled the old Culligan Building at 257 King Street in Crystal Lake. The building was approximately 3,000 square feet and allowed us to house up to 60 cats and seven dogs.

Then in 2006, Helping Paws moved into our current 10,000 square foot facility at 2500 Harding Lane, Woodstock, IL. This facility allows us to care for approximately 125 kittens/cats and to accommodate 45 puppies/dogs.

Helping Paws is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Our small, committed staff of 11 employees and over 300 dedicated volunteers handle and care for more than 800 animals annually and serve more than 300,000 residents in McHenry County and surrounding communities. Each animal that comes into our shelter is treated with respect, kindness and compassion. We believe that for each of our animals…”Second Chances Start Here.”

Good News! We're extending the deadline to guarantee an event shirt with your 5k/10k registration. You have until midnight September 20th

Helping Paws is pleased to announce our first Panting Four Paws Festival. It is the combination of two of our favorite events: Panting for Paws and Paws in the Park.

Join us after the race for post-race food and refreshments as well as the Festival part of the event. We'll have vendors to shop, games for your pups and yummy food trucks...and our 1 Mile Walk With Your Dog!

Pre Race Day Packet Pick Up will be held on Friday, October 7 from 2PM - 6:30PM at:

The Running Depot

30 N. Williams Street

Crystal Lake

Race Day Registration and Packet Pick Up will open at 7:00 AM at Lippold Park, Crystal Lake.

5K & 10K Race starts at 8:30 AM.

1 Mile Walk starts at 11:00 AM

Award Ceremony will be held after the last person crosses the finish line! (Approximately 9:45 AM)

5K & 10K Awards:

One Overall Male/Female

Age groups (1st, 2nd & 3rd Place)

14 & under

15 - 19

20 - 24

25 - 29

30 - 34

35 - 39

40 - 44

45 - 49

50 - 54

55 - 59

60 - 64

65 - 69

70 & over

All 1 Mile finishers will receive a bandana for their dog!

Race will start and finish by the playground at Lippold Park. 5K is one time around; 10K is two times around

The First 100 5K/10K registrants will receive a special swag!

Watch some amazing clips here!