Latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Midlands

COLUMBIA,(WACH) –Dog lovers and their pups went to Finlay Park Saturday to spend time with their pooches for a good cause.

Pawmetto Lifeline hosted their Fourth Annual Bark to the Park Walk and Festival for animals.

"Rescue is so important because each year just in the Midlands between Richland and Lexington Counties, we have about 19,000 animals, wonderful animals, purebreds, mutts, everything that are euthanized because they're aren't enough homes," said Pawmetto Lifeline president Deloris Mungo.

Participants could register to walk their dogs to raise money for homeless animals in the Midlands.

Many of those attending brought their rescue pets that are now a part of their family.

Patty Branham brought her dog Dakota who she adopted after a series of events left Dakota without a place to call home.

"Her second owner was deployed to Iraq, so she was given to my brother who was later deployed to Afghanistan, so I am Dakota's fourth owner," said Branham.

Shortly after Branham adopted Dakota she was hit by a truck which caused her to lose her back leg.

"When my brother came home from Afghanistan he told me that I had been with her through her most traumatic experience and that I needed to keep her," said Branham.

The one mile walk through downtown Columbia, gave participants a chance to show off their pets.

Many local rescue organizations and  breed specific rescue groups were at the event with animals available for adoption.

For example, Furever Dachshund Rescue and Basset Rescue Crew of the Southeast were there.

Herndon Chevrolet awarded a new car to any participant who raised $2,500 or more for the cause.

There were contests, food, drinks, low cost vaccines, and micro chipping.

Organizers of the festival say that a thousand were registered to walk with their dogs.

For more information, visit www.barktothepark.com.