At each event, activities will include a Pooch Picnic, a Dog Walkathon, demonstrations and contests including owner/pet look-a-likes, Frisbee-catching and newspaper-fetching.

The event will serve to raise funds for enhanced pet programming and pet facilities, from playgrounds to dog runs, in New York City parks.

In addition, the fund-raiser's goals are:

• To promote responsible pet ownership through care and training;
• To encourage the care of New York City parks by all who use them; and
• To help pets in need of emergency medical care or adoption.

The prototype for this unique city-wide event is PETS, PEOPLE & PARKS, a community-based celebration of pets, people and the parks they share, held annually in Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx. The Van Cortlandt Park event is in its sixth successful year and the revenue it has raised helped create Canine Court, the first public dog agility course/playground in the country. Each year the event garners major media coverage, including local and international television and print media. Last year's event was featured on the Discovery Channel's Animal Planet, and segments were recorded for inclusion in an international film documentary.

PAWS WALK 2000 is the creation of Bash Dibra, renowned celebrity dog trainer and author of the bestselling book "DogSpeak," and Paws Across America, an organization linking paws and hands across the United States. The presenting sponsor of this year's ambitious event is PetFoodDirect.com. Other supporting sponsors are VISA, Iams, Friskies, Veterinary Medical Association of New York City, FIDONYC, NYCDog, NYSave, and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.

For more information, call (718) 430-1890 or (718) 601-1460.