Jacksonville, FL (January 9, 2015):   Lace up your shoes, leash up your dog and join St. Francis Animal Hospital for the 2014 Chariots of Fur 5K Beach Run and 1-Mile Fun Run on the beautiful beach of Jacksonville Beach,  Saturday, Feb. 7 at 8:30am.  Proceeds from the event benefit local nonprofit St. Francis Animal Hospital to provide medical care to pets in need in the Jacksonville area.

The Chariots of Fur 5K is a unique race where participants can run or walk with or without a dog on the beach.  In addition to the 5K race and 1-mile Fun Run, participants will receive a souvenir tech t-shirt and race packet filled with goodies for people and their pups.  The top race finishers will be awarded one-of-a-kind hand-made ceramic dog bowls and the race festivities will include sponsor booths, Doga (yoga with your dog), hot chocolate, a complimentary runner’s buffet, massages, a raffle with great prizes and dogs available for adoption.

The Chariots of Fur 5K is sponsored by WJXT Channel 4, Memorial Hospital, Pet Supermarket, Northeast Florida Scottish Games & Festival, Hyperbaric Veterinary Medicine, Lynch’s Irish Pub, Sanford-Brown College, Trifexis, Clearly Jacksonville, The BUZZ Magazine, and Beach Unleash.  The race will be timed by Milestone Race Authority.

Cost to register for the 5K is $25 for adults and $20 for children 14 and under.  Cost to register for the 1-Mile Fun Run is $15 for adults and children.  5K participants can register the day of the race for an increased fee.  There is no additional fee for participation with a dog, but safety guidelines must be observed.  For more information or to register for the Chariots of Fur 5K, visit www.ChariotsOfFur5K.org.  For information about sponsorship opportunities, email info@ChariotsOfFur5K.org or call Sandy at 904-333-5101.

Founded in 2003 by local veterinarians, St. Francis Animal Hospital is a 501(c)3 nonprofit animal hospital whose mission is to provide affordable veterinary care to all owned pets.  In support of their mission, St. Francis Animal Hospital treats every patient with compassion, providing affordable quality and comprehensive care that protects the special bond that exists between people and their pets.  St. Francis Animal Hospital believes everyone deserves the unconditional love of a happy and healthy pet and all pets deserve to be in a loving home.  Furthermore, St. Francis Animal Hospital believes it is not right to let an animal suffer with less than ideal treatment because their owner can’t afford expensive veterinary care.  This is why it is a priority for St. Francis Animal Hospital veterinarians to provide the same high level of care to pets of all families at an affordable price.  St. Francis Animal Hospital is a full-service animal hospital providing affordable wellness care, diagnostics, dentistry, surgeries, hospitalization, emergency care and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy treatments.

St. Francis Animal Hospital doesn’t receive state or federal funding; their only sources of revenue are the fees for their services and donations received from the community.  With the help of individual and corporate donors, St. Francis Animal Hospital has been providing a much needed service in the Jacksonville community and has been honored to serve over 9,100 pets in 2014.

For more information about the 2014 Chariots of Fur 5K, visit the website at www.ChariotsOfFur5K.org.  For more information about St. Francis Animal Hospital contact 904-674-7223, email info@saintfrancisanimalhospital.org or visit the St. Francis Animal Hospital website at www.saintfrancisanimalhospital.org.