Dog lovers and their best friends will unite when the fourth annual Nuts for Mutts - The Walk returns to Shepard Stadium at Pierce College, 6201 Winnetka Ave., Woodland Hills, on Sunday, Oct. 19.

This fun-filled family event features a 5K walk-a-thon through the rolling hills of Pierce College, overlooking the San Fernando Valley.

Route highlights will include "pawzstations," with plenty of water, food and fun for pets of all kinds and their human partners as they walk to benefit nonprofit animal rescue group New Leash on Life.

A pre-walk breakfast willbe served walkers when registration beginsat 8:30 a.m., and a post-walk award ceremony will immediately follow, where the top fundraiser will be awarded a cruise to the Caribbean for two. Attendees will also enjoy live music and a dog-friendly fair.

Funds raised from Nuts for Mutts - The Walk will help support New Leash on Life's education, rehabilitation and adoption programs, including Lend a Paw. The Lend a Paw program rescues and trains homeless animals as social/therapy dogs to enhance the lives of people in need, visiting hospitals and care centers to offer healing, love and acceptance.

Founded in 1997, New Leash On Life has been responsible for spaying and neutering thousands of pets, rescuing and placing more than 3,000 dogs, providing free educational seminars at local shelters, setting shelter rescue priorities on "hard to place" animals requiring medical or special care, founding the P.E.T.'s program (Pet Educational Trainers) and co-founding Partners for Life, which saved hundreds at the East Valley Animal Shelter.

Plenty of free parking is available.

To register and start signing up your walk sponsors, visit www.nutsformutts.org or call 661-255-0097.