Event is the first competitive 5K race with dogs with all proceeds benefitting homeless pets
RALEIGH, NC – November 8, 2012 – Continuing their commitment of support to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), The Preiss Company will be the presenting sponsor of the SPCA of Wake County Santa Paws Competitive 5K. The event will be held on Sunday, November 18th (rain or shine) from 8:00am to noon at Cameron Village in Raleigh. Gerald Owens of WRAL-TV5 will be the event’s celebrity Santa.
The Preiss Company is a long-time supporter of the SPCA of Wake County and was a sponsor of the organization’s 14th Annual SPCA Fur Ball and 2nd Annual Hair O’ The Dog Benefit. In addition, company founder and CEO, Donna Preiss, has been actively involved in the SPCA for many years and currently serves on the organization’s Board of Directors.
“I grew up on a farm in Guilford County and have always been connected to animals,” explains Preiss. “I truly believe in Gandhi’s sentiments when he said, ‘The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.’ The SPCA is and will remain very special to me.” The Preiss Company was SPCA’s first corporate supporter and deeded a cargo van to the organization for animal transportation.
The SPCA Santa Paws 5K is the first competitive 5K race with dogs. The race will offer chip timing, a USA Track & Field Certified 5K course, custom race T-shirts, and pet-friendly holiday photos. Prizes will be awarded for top male and female finishers, top running with dog finisher, as well as multiple age group categories. Prizes will also be awarded for best holiday dress/costume with human and animal categories. Registration fee is $25 with the race beginning at 9:00am.
The SPCA of Wake County is a no-kill animal protection organization that helps over 17,000 North Carolina pets in need each year. Founded in Raleigh in 1967, SPCA Wake is dedicated to creating a more humane community where every adoptable animal has a home. The guiding mission statement of the SPCA remains as relevant now as it was when it was written in 1967: To protect, shelter and promote the adoption of homeless animals; to provide education about responsible pet ownership; and to reduce pet overpopulation through spay/neuter programs. To register for the SPCA Santa Paws 5K, visit www.spcawake.org.
About The Preiss Company
Founded in 1987, The Preiss Company specializes in the development, acquisition and management of off-campus student housing. The Raleigh-based company is the nation’s fifth largest privately held and largest woman-owned owner and operator of private student housing. The company’s portfolio currently comprises approximately 15,000 beds located in eight states and eleven markets. For more information, visit www.tpco.com.
About the SPCA of Wake County
The SPCA of Wake County operates two animal shelters and each facility serves a different purpose. The first facility is the SPCA Curtis Dail Pet Adoption Center, which focuses on pet adoption and public education, and the SPCA Lost & Found Pet Center, which accepts incoming animals from residents of Raleigh and Cary or animals found within these areas. The SPCA of Wake County is a private, non-profit organization that serves the pets and people of the Wake County community. For more information or for adoption, volunteer, or donation opportunities, visit www.spcawake.org.
