1. What if it rains?
Mutt Strut is held rain or shine. Please dress yourself and your pet accordingly. Ponchos will be for sale at the HSI Re-tail store while supplies last. Registration donation fees are non-refundable. No refunds will be given in the event of rain.

2. Is on-site registration available?
On-site registration will be offered the day of the event. The minimum on-site registration donation for ages 16 and over is $35, age 8-15 is $20 and children 7 and under are free. Participants who pre-register are guaranteed a t-shirt, whereas t-shirts will only be available to on-site registrants while supplies last.

3. When does pre-registration close?
Pre-registration ends on Wednesday, April 21, 2010. The minimum pre-registration donation for ages 16 and over is $25, age 8-15 is $15 and children 7 and under are free. You can pre-register on-line or by faxing or mailing a copy of the pre-registration form to the Humane Society of Indianapolis. All forms must be received by 5:00 pm on April 21, 2009. Completed forms can either be faxed to (317) 876-2428 or mailed to 7929 N. Michigan Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46268.

4. What do I do when I arrive at Mutt Strut, if I have NOT pre-registered?
When you arrive at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway proceed to the Plaza where greeters will direct you towards the On-Site Registration Area. Here you will fill out a registration form, sign your IMS waiver and pay the minimum registration fee. The minimum on-site registration fee for ages 16 and over is $35, age 8-15 is $25 and children 7 and under are free. T-shirts will be available for on-site registrants while supplies last.

5. Is my registration tax deductible?
YES – Mutt Strut registrations can be used as a tax deduction on your 2010 income taxes. Please save your canceled checked, registration confirmation or credit card statement for your record. All donations to individual walkers are also considered a tax deductible donation. All on-line participants and donors will receive an acknowledgment sent directly to their e-mail account. All off-line cash/check participants and donors will be mailed an acknowledgement letter or postcard as long as the donor information is provided directly to HSI. Please keep these letters for your 2010 tax records.

6. Do I have to register everyone walking including my children?
YES - All participants must be registered for the event. The minimum pre-registration donation for ages 16 and over is $25, age 8-15 is $15 and children 7 and under are free. We encourage all adults who are registering children with a different last name than theirs to use the last name of the adult that they will be attending with.

7. Will my children receive a t-shirt?
All pre-registered participants will receive a t-shirt. However, t-shirts are only available in adult sizes. Children 7 and under can participate for free, but will not receive a t-shirt.

8. Will I receive an email confirmation when I register?
If you register through the IndyMuttStrut.org website you will receive an automated email confirmation that should be saved for your 2010 taxes. If you register offline (phone/fax/mail), please keep a copy of your canceled check for your taxes. All 2010 off-line registrants will receive a confirmation postcard that is simply a reminder for the event.

9. If I register offline (phone/fax/mail) can I still create a personal fundraising webpage?
In order to create a personal fundraising webpage to raise additional donations for Mutt Strut you must provide a valid e-mail address on your registration form. A confirmation e-mail will then be sent to your e-mail account and you will able to access your Personal Participant Center through that.

10. What do I do when I arrive at Mutt Strut, if I’ve PRE-REGISTERED?
When you arrive at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway proceed to the Plaza where greeters will direct you towards the Registration/Check-in area. Enter the line marked with the first letter of the LAST NAME you registered under. Note: If you are registering children under the age of 13 with a different last name please register them with your last name. This will ensure that each of you do not have to stand in two separate check-in lines.

11. How do I know if I am a member of a Corporate Team?
All corporate team members will be notified by their team captain if they are recognized as an official corporate team. Team members will receive their t-shirt, wristband and detailed guidelines about the event the week before Mutt Strut following Corporate Team Packet Pick-up. Corporate Team members will also enter the IMS Plaza through the Corporate Team Check-in area. If your corporation is interested in creating an official team please visit the Corporate Team page on our website. If you are unsure if you’re part of a Corporate Team visit our Official Corporate Team List.

12. What do I do when I arrive at Mutt Strut, if I’m part of a corporate team?
When you arrive at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway proceed to the IMS Plaza where greeters will direct you towards the Corporate Team Check-in area; when you arrive at the event have your wristband on to show the volunteers for quick entrance onto the IMS Plaza. At this point you should have already received your t-shirt and other information from your team captain. Also don’t forget to stop by the Corporate Team Lounge during the event for snacks and drinks for both humans and canines. The Corporate Team Lounge will be located by the concession area in one of the garages.

13. Do I have to arrive at 11am to participate in the event?
No, on-site registration and check-in will be open from 11:00am-2:15pm. The track will be open for walkers from 11:30am-2:30pm. As long as you are on the track by 2:30pm you may complete the 2 ½ mile lap at your own pace.

14. Can I raise more than the $25 registration fee?
We encourage all participants to raise as much money as possible to benefit the animals at the Humane Society of Indianapolis. You can either have people donate directly to your Mutt Strut personal webpage or you can collect donations. An off-line donation form can be used to track your donations. All checks should be made payable to the Humane Society of Indianapolis and we ask that you document the full name and address along with amount donated for each individual donor by using the off-line donations form.

15. What do I do with my off-line donations?
We encourage all participants to mail or bring in their donations personally before April 21, 2010. The donations should be in an envelope along with the off-line donations form. The envelope should be clearly marked “MUTT STRUT” and can be mailed directly to the Humane Society of Indianapolis, Att: Mutt Strut, 7929 N. Michigan Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46268. If delivering in person please ask to speak with a member of the Development Department or make sure your envelope is clearly marked MUTT STRUT.

16. Will I receive prizes for the donations I raise?
Donations will directly benefit the animals at the Humane Society of Indianapolis. Pre-registered attendees will receive an official Mutt Strut t-shirt, and onsite registrants will receive t-shirts while supplies last. We encourage you to create a personal fundraising web page to help raise additional funds for the animals we care for. All Mutt Strut participants who raise over $1,000 will receive a 2010 plaque following the event.

17. Can I bring more than one pet to the event?
Participants need not register their pets and can bring as many as they are comfortable walking. All pets must be kept on a maximum 6 foot non-retractable leash. Walking more than one dog at a time may require skill and talent to keep them from becoming tangled. If you have more than one dog you wish to bring to the event, we encourage you to recruit friends and family to register and join you.

18. How should I prepare myself and my pets for Mutt Strut?
Participants, humans and pets alike, should prepare in advance for the walk. Many people and pets are not used to walking on concrete or on a sloped terrain that is seven degrees warmer than the outside temperature. Consult your doctor and veterinarian on whether you and your pet are healthy enough to make the 2 ½ miles around the track. For more information on how to train your pet for Mutt Strut download the Mutt Strut Training Tip Guide.

19. What if my pet or child can’t walk the full 2 ½ miles around the track?
Many people choose to bring wagons or strollers for pets and children. There will be Pit Crew (vet) stations sponsored by Harrison College School of Veterinary Technology around the track for paw checks and for any assistance pets may need.

20. Do I have to bring a pet to walk?
No! Anyone is welcome to come and walk. If you’re a cat-lover leave the cats at home to nap so you can enjoy an afternoon at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and help support the Humane Society of Indianapolis.

21. Will there be water for the dogs or do I need to bring my own?
Water will be available for all canines. There will be plenty of Pit Stops set up around the IMS Plaza and track for thirsty pets. Watch for signs to let you know which pit stops are for swimming and which ones are for drinking. However, if your dog does not like to drink out of a community dish then please bring your own.

22. Will there be food for purchase? Can I bring my own food to the event?
Human food will be available for purchase. Free water will be available for both people and dogs. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway concessions will be open that day but you may also bring snacks and food for your family and pets.

23. Will there be poop bags available for the dogs or do I need to bring my own?
Poop bags will be distributed and available throughout the event. You are welcome to bring your own as well. We encourage all attendees to please be responsible pet owners and clean up after your pet.

24. Do the dogs that attend Mutt Strut have to show proof of vaccinations?
Although proof of vaccinations is NOT required, all owners are encouraged to maintain and stay current with their pet’s vaccinations. We hope that all pet owners are responsible and have had their furry friends vaccinated.

25. What is the leash requirement for Mutt Strut?
All dogs must be kept on a maximum of a 6-ft non-retractable leash during Mutt Strut. We ask that owners keep their dogs close by since there are thousands of people and pets at this event. This will help if your pet or the pet right beside you doesn’t do well with others.

26. I have a disabled pet; will they be able to participate?
All dogs are encouraged to attend. There will be Pit Crew (vet) stations sponsored by Harrison College School of Veterinary Technology along the track for pets who become tired or ill during their walk. Participation will be at your discretion. Wagons and strollers are also permitted on the track.

27. How many times can I walk around the track with my pet?
As long as you are on the track by 2:30 pm and off the track at 4:00pm you may walk around the track as many times as you like.

28. Can I rollerblade or bike along the track?
No. We ask that participants do not rollerblade or bike along the track in order to ensure the safety of all participants, humans and pets.

29. May I bring my hoofed pet?
Hoofed animals wearing rubber-soled shoes for the entire day will be permitted on the track. Hoofed animals without shoes will not be permitted on the track to prevent any possible damage the hoofs may cause to the track surface.

30. Do I have to walk? Can I volunteer instead?
We need approximately 400 Event Crew members to make Mutt Strut a success. Volunteers help with everything from set-up to registration. Visit the Volunteer section of our website to learn more.

31. How old do you have to be to volunteer?
For safety and liability reasons we ask that all Mutt Strut volunteers be at least 18 years of age. With the number of participants attending, volunteers must be capable of performing any task assigned to them the day of the event. This may include moving tables, handling money, greeting attendees and more.

32. Can I bring my pets or children with me if I volunteer?
We ask that volunteers do not bring pets or children with them while they are working the event. Volunteers are often very busy and we ask that their attention be focused on their volunteering assignments. It makes it hard for volunteers to carry a table or fill out paperwork while holding a dog leash or trying to keep track of a child.

33. What kind of booths will be set up on the IMS Plaza?
There will be various sponsor booths set up on the IMS Plaza during Mutt Strut for your enjoyment. Sponsors will hand out coupons, give away samples and offer drawings for prizes throughout the day. Sponsors won’t be selling items at the event so you can visit them without the pressure of making a purchase.

34. Will the Humane Society of Indianapolis have logo items for sale at Mutt Strut?
Yes. HSI’s Re-Tail store will offer ponchos, umbrellas, water bottles and much more for sale for owners and pets to enjoy! This is the exclusive shopping area on the IMS Plaza and all purchases directly benefit HSI.