SEBASTIAN — A quirky annual event featuring speedy dachshunds scampering across a hay-strewn track has netted $1,836 for a local no-kill animal shelter, organizers said.
The Pareidolia Brewing Company hosted its 11th annual Running of the Wieners on Oct. 4, attracting 45 dogs and their enthusiastic owners to the brewery’s grounds. The family-friendly fundraiser, complete with live music from the band Group Therapy, aimed to support the HALO No-Kill Rescue Shelter, which works to rehome abandoned pets in the area.
“We had an amazing time at the Running of the Wieners, and we’re so grateful to Pareidolia for hosting this fun-filled event,” HALO said in a statement. “Cheers to great friends, great brews, and great causes!”
Entry fees for the races and proceeds from raffles and other activities totaled the donation amount. Participants included purebred dachshunds in the main events, with an open class for other breeds to join the fun.
The event featured costumed pups—some decked out as hot dogs themselves—dashing toward the finish line amid cheers and laughter. Food trucks and craft beer added to the festive atmosphere, making it a staple in Sebastian’s community calendar.
HALO, a nonprofit shelter known for its commitment to never euthanizing healthy animals, uses such contributions to cover medical care, food and adoption programs for dogs and cats in need.
