MISSION
Happy Life Animal Rescue (HLAR) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (EIN #: 81-1804421) dedicated to improving the lives of abused, neglected, and abandoned animals by working to ensure that homeless animals are safe and sheltered and promoting programs to ensure responsible pet ownership, support the humane treatment of animals, and ending animal overpopulation.
VISION
HLAR’s vision is to be the regional leader in placing abused, neglected, and abandoned dogs and cats into loving forever homes and to become a trusted animal welfare resource within the community. We will do this by engaging in community outreach and providing programs and services to educate our volunteers and the public on best practices in animal welfare while supporting the rescue, rehabilitation, and adoption of homeless animals.
HLAR was founded in 2016 by the Forster Family to help find qualified adoptive homes for abused, neglected, and abandoned dogs and cats. Initially, HLAR volunteers cared for the animals in their own homes or worked to place the animals into foster homes within the community and adoption events were held at various merchant locations throughout Dutchess and Putnam County. In 2023, with the generous support of numerous donors, HLAR was able to purchase the building at 550 NY-22 in Pawling, New York. The building had previously been a veterinary office and came with kennels and four outdoor runs so that HLAR could create a central adoption center and expand its rescue, rehabilitation, and adoption services with animals being housed both onsite and in foster homes.
Despite numerous challenges along the way, not the least of which was the global COVID-19 pandemic, HLAR has continued to fulfill its mission and has to date helped more than 2,000 dogs and cats placed into their forever homes. In keeping with its vision statement, HLAR is now undertaking a long-range development plan which ultimately will culminate in the opening an expanded and modernized facility to increase HLAR’s capacity to safely house and rehabilitate abused, neglected, and abandoned animals and to provide space for the training and education of HLAR volunteers and the public. As part of this plan, we hope to establish an in-house clinic to enable the provision of basic veterinary care, including spaying/neutering, for the animals under HLAR’s care in a more cost-effective manner while making available lower cost spay/neuter opportunities to the public and the possibility of establishing a Trap, Neuter, and Return (TNR) program to help control animal overpopulation.
Event Info!
Pawsitive Strides: Walk, Wag, and Save Lives!
Join us for Pawsitive Strides, an exciting dog walk and community event supporting Happy Life Animal Rescue! On Sunday, June 8, 2025, at Lakeside Park in Pawling, NY, animal lovers, adopters, and their furry friends will come together to make a real difference in the lives of rescue pets. Whether you’re walking in honor of a beloved pet, fundraising to help animals in need, or simply looking for a fun-filled day outdoors, this event has something for everyone!
The day kicks off at 9 AM with check-in, followed by a scenic walk at 10 AM alongside fellow pet lovers and their four-legged companions(all pups need to be leashed). But the fun doesn’t stop there! After the walk, stick around for a lively vendor fair, delicious food trucks, music, games, raffles, and meet-and-greets with adoptable rescue pets. Plus, participants who fundraise can earn exclusive Pawsitive Strides T-shirts and prizes for reaching fundraising milestones!
Whether you’re a seasoned supporter of Happy Life Animal Rescue or a first-time participant, your steps will help save lives. Every dollar raised goes directly toward rescuing, caring for, and finding loving homes for dogs and cats in need. So, grab your pup, rally your friends, and get ready for a day of fun, friendship, and making a pawsitive impact!
Sign up today, start fundraising, and let’s take strides toward a brighter future for rescue pets!
9:00AM Registration Begins
Pawsitive Strides Walk Begins!
Pawsitive Strides Expo and Fair opens and continues until 4:00PM
11:00AM Dog adoption event starts and continues 3:00PM
🐶 Who Can Participate?
Pawsitive Strides is open to everyone! Whether you have a dog or not, you are welcome to join in the fun. Families, friends, and teams are encouraged to sign up together.
📍 Event Location & Parking
The event takes place at Lakeside Park, Pawling, NY. Parking is available on-site, but we encourage carpooling as space may be limited.
🎟 Registration & Check-in
Park Opens & Check-in: 9 AM
Walk Begins: 10 AM
Vendor Fair & Food Trucks Open: 11 AM
All participants must check in at the registration table upon arrival to receive event materials.
🐾 Dog Guidelines
All dogs must be leashed (no retractable leashes).
Dogs must be friendly and comfortable around people and other dogs.
Please ensure your dog is up-to-date on vaccinations.
Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets.
🎽 Fundraising & Prizes
Raise funds to support rescue animals and earn exclusive Pawsitive Strides T-shirts and other prizes at different fundraising tiers!
🍔 Post-Walk Festivities
After the walk, enjoy a fun-filled festival featuring food trucks, pet-friendly vendors, games, and adoptable rescue pets!
Click Below For A Fundraising Guide!
When you support the Pawsitive Strides Walk & Expo, you’re joining a community that is committed to improving the lives of neglected, abandoned, and abused animals and the people who love them.
Frequently Asked Questions!
The Pawsitive Strides Walk, Expo and Fair, which intake place at Lakeside Park in Pawling, NY on Sunday (June 8, 2024).
No. The Expo Is Open To Everyone!
Nope( maybe just some friendly fundraising competition ! )
Yes. Go to the “Participant Info” section to download a copy of our Fundraising Guide to help you get started.
Donations will be accepted at any time, but to qualify for any fundraising awards, donations must be received by 6:00 on Saturday (June 8, 2024). Place cash and checks in an envelope marked with the participant’s full name and the amount enclosed written legibly on it and dropped off at the HLAR Adoption Center before the fundraising deadline. If donations indicate an entire team, HLAR will select one member of that team, at our discretion, and add the amount to that individual’s fundraising.
Dogs that are non-aggressive toward people and other animals are welcome in the Pawsitive Strides 5K Run/Walk. All dogs must be current on their vaccinations and always leashed. The use of retractable leashes, to include bungy-style leashes, is prohibited at any time. Each participant may have one (1) dog accompany them.