Appalachian Trail Hike to Benefit Animal Shelter

November 6, 2007 : 9:33 PM

Donations help animals at the Forsyth Humane Society in Winston-Salem.

Appalachian Trail Hike to Benefit Animal Shelter

By Michele King, Best Friends Network

Would you go the extra mile to help animals in need? Meet a young woman from North Carolina and her faithful dog, who are hiking the entire Appalachian Trail to raise funds for shelter pets.

Heather Kierstead and her companion Kobe are enduring the 2,175 mile hike as a benefit for the Forsyth Humane Society in Winston-Salem, North Carolina where Kobe was adopted. The trip began in Maine on June 3 and will end in Georgia in December.

Donors can make a pledge for every mile that Heather and Kobe hike, and proceeds will benefit other pets in need of homes. You can donate a penny, nickel, dime, quarter or dollar per mile. So far, several people have pledged $1 for each mile, and there are lots of penny pledges. It's not too late to make a pledge!

In September, Heather and Kobe stopped for a visit with the Mayor of Unionville, New York. The Mayor gave them a good meal and a place to rest before returning to the trail.

Along the way, the fearless pair have encountered wildlife such as bears, deer, and coyotes. “Black bears are pretty skittish, and they don’t really bother you,” Heather says. She saw five bears in one day on the trail.

Heather hopes that the walk will benefit her local shelter so that more animals can find their way to adventure. “This is the coolest thing I’ve ever done,” Heather says. “I’ve met the nicest people.”

Heather and Kobe are now in Virginia, some 600 miles from the trail’s end in Georgia. To track their progress, visit http://www.wxii12.com/pets/13690070/detail.html

What You Can Do:

Make a donation to Forsyth Humane Society in honor of Heather and Kobe! Email rweltonfhs@triad.rr.com, visit http://forsythhumane.org/, or call 721-1303 x102.

Adopt a homeless pet! Your next best friend awaits you at Forsyth Humane Society. See photos here http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/NC330.html

Comments

November 14, 2007 at 4:14 PM
posted by: marys

Great effort and much success to you, Heather and Kobe! You are very special. Take good care.

November 12, 2007 at 2:31 PM
posted by: Margaret

This is great!! Good job, Heather (Dreamer) and Kobe (Moose)! I love the photos posted at the wxii12.com site -- must be so exciting to see the bears. Stay warm and stay safe on the trail, guys!

November 11, 2007 at 4:55 PM
posted by: tamarad

Way to go, way to go!! I'm a BF employee that moved here from Winston-Salem, NC and 1 of my personal dogs Maple was adopted from the FCHS, which I have strong positive feelings for.
What a great cause, not only for the homeless dogs and cats, but also for yourself and Kobe. Enjoy the beautiful environment.

November 8, 2007 at 1:53 PM
posted by: PamelaB

Brava, Heather and Kobe! This is the sort of marvelously creative action that I love--recognizing one's own talent and passion and figuring out a way to use them to help animals around the world...and right here in our own backyard.

That's almost literal for me, as I live in Winston-Salem near the Forsyth Humane Society on Miller Street--though I'm usually writing about events abroad for International Friends on the Network. I'm delighted to see this story, Michele, and the interesting photos too!

Pamela Benbow