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VALLEY — Saturday’s first-ever St. Pawty’s Day was a big success, so much so that the Chattahoochee Humane Society is looking at making it an annual event. It was hard to find parking spaces around the Valley Farmer’s Market pavilion or the nearby Langdale Mill parking lot for the start of the 9 a.m. EDT 5k race. A total of 60 runners and 40 walkers took part in it.

Race winners included Jaeden Mingin, first in 5k; Kannon Mingin, first in the one mile; Janet English, first female in the 5k; Megan Norred, Kimberly Lee, Susan Middlebrooks, Kyzer Zeunges. Logan James and Jimmy James.

“We are so pleased this turnout!” said CHS shelter manager Amber Mingin. “Fundraisers like this will help us with needed improvements at the local animal shelter. The support we have gotten from the community has allowed us to have such recent improvements as expanding our kennel space from 16 to 48. We have more staff, more vetting and more food for the animals now. We are so excited about today and the direction we are heading.”

The fun day included facepainting, a raffle and refreshments being served just outside the pavilion. Mike Davis was  there with his Dirty Water Dog food truck selling hot dogs, tater tots, nachoes and milk shakes.

In the spirt of St. Patrick’s Day, some Irish-style green beer was available for the adults present, and there was a “pup cup” station for anyone who brought their dog on a leash.

The canines especially liked the cool whip cups being served. “We went through five bottles of cool whip the first few minutes we were here,” said a volunteer.

The Chattahoochee Humane Society is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. All money generated pays the staff and goes back into animal care. The adoption fee for any spayed or neutered pet is only $50.

“We’re not here to make a profit,” Mingin said. “Our goal is the most humane treatment we can provide the animals we receive.”

Some live entertainment was going on. A local artist, Chris McHargue, was there playing and singing folk songs.

CHS Board President was there wearing a kelly green St. Pawty’s Day t-shirt. He was ecstatic over the turnout. “We want this to be an annual event,” he said. “This is a great day for our community and for the future of the humane treatment of animals.”

The CHS has a goal of being a no-kill shelter. At one time the local shelter had a kill rate of as much as 85 percent.

Due to a combination or improved pet fostering, working with animal rescues, having a catch, and a vaccinate and release program for feral cats, some substantial progress has been made toward this goal. It’s now in the single digits. The goal is to be zero.