It's nearly that time again: The annual PetWalk is next Sunday at Magic Island.

Thousands of pets and their owners will walk around Magic Island to raise money for the Hawaiian Humane Society.

Registration begins at 7 a.m.; the walk starts at 8 a.m. There will be contests for the best costume and the best pet trick, as well as live entertainment.

The HHS does more than just help animals find good homes. Every year, the organization reunites 2,000 lost pets with their owners. It assists and investigates more than 3,000 complaint and rescue calls. The shelter also cares about the community. When military personnel are deployed, their animals are put in a foster care program. In the visitation program, animals visit the elderly at nursing facilities. The HHS continues to educate thousands of Hawai'i's schoolchildren on being kind to animals.

Kawehi Yim, community relations director, says, "Over 29,000 animals were offered care and shelter in the last year." That number is expected to grow with the downturn in the economy. More animals are being surrendered to shelters across the country.

There are many "happily ever after" stories that begin at the shelter. Barbara Jurkens adopted her two cats from the HHS. In January 2007, she brought home Jack, an 8-year-old orange tabby. "I'm so glad we adopted a senior (cat). We knew exactly who we were adopting because he's as set in his ways as we are. The society encourages multiple visits before making a final choice, so we knew Jack's personality before he came home."

Later that same year, a skittish 2-year old male tabby named Z was added to the Jurkens' household. "Z is very shy. I believe he did not have any easy life before coming to live with us," says Jurkens.

The cats, now 10 and 4 years old, have a wonderful life with good food, comfy pillows and tons of toys. Their lives couldn't be better.

Jurkens admires the work of the HHS staff. "The people who work and volunteer there are second to none. They care about the animals and really want the perfect match between 'owner' and pet because they want the outcome to be a forever home."

The HHS is not funded by any national agency, so monetary donations are extremely important. Please participate in the PetWalk. You don't even have to own a pet to enjoy all the fun. You'll see adorable costumes, friendly folks and all kinds of pets.

For more information, please visit: www.hawaiianhumane.org/ or call 356-2225. If you prefer to register online, there are many teams that are signed up to take part in the walk. Visit www.firstgiving.com/petwalk2009 to build your own giving page or to make a donation.

Animal lover Leslie Kawamoto has been with the Advertiser for 19 years, or 133 in dog years. Check out her blog at www.HonoluluAdvertiser.com/Blogs.