Dachshunds dash to support local charity

By Christian Price, News9.com's INsite Team

OKALHOMA CITY -- Hundreds of pets and owners converged Sunday at the Cox Pavilion building at State Fair Park to help out a worthy cause and to see who had the fastest Dachshund.

The Oklahoma Gazette's 4th annual Dachshund Dash benefited the charity Best Friends of Pets.

"Not only does it help out a great charity, it's also a whole lot of fun to watch these little wienie dogs race," said Joe Wertz, entertainment editor for the Gazette. "They're only a few inches off the ground but boy can they get down that track pretty fast."

Some competitors showed up with more than just their owner in tow.

"Some of the dogs come with a whole entourage. People, team members and practically a support staff of people with outfits and names and cheers and chants for the little wienie dogs," Wertz said.

Kim Schlittler is the Executive Director of Best Friends of Pets. She said she was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support of everyone who came to the event.

"Last year 19,000 cats and dogs were euthanized at the Oklahoma City animal shelter; 36 percent of those were puppies and kittens," Schlittler said. "Our spay and neuter program makes spaying and neutering affordable for everybody. We target low income pet owners receiving Medicaid, Department of Human Services and Supplemental Security Income. For those pet owners, it's $10 for cats to spay or neuter, $20 dollars for a dog."