The 3rd Annual Kids Lend a Paw (KLAP) dog walk has been set for Saturday, November 16, at Fairfield Hills.

Reed Intermediate School sixth grader Maddie Stites began Kids Lend a Paw three years ago to raise money to support the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

Through bake sales and the two past dog walks, Maddie said she has raised roughly $2,000. This year Maddie hopes to raise $1,000 at the November 16 KLAP kids dog walk.

“I hope more people will come [this year], because these last two years it’s been after a storm or a hurricane and we haven’t had power,” said Maddie.

An estimated 30 to 40 children walked in the kids dog walk last year, and this year Maddie said she is hoping for more than 50 children to come out to participate.

A donation of $5 per student is asked for, but Maddie said participants can also choose to donate dog supplies — like toys, treats, towels, food, detergent, blankets, or leashes — in lieu of the $5 donation. Maddie also said dogs are free to walk.

Maddie said she began KLAP because the ASPCA rescued her three family dogs — Merry, Sunny, and Chloe.

“I wanted to give back to them,” said Maddie about the ASPCA.

She also explained that the ASPCA has a practice of rescuing dogs from shelters, mostly in the South, where dogs may be euthanized due to crowding in the shelter to bring them to shelters that have a “no kill” policy.

According to a flyer for the dog walk, 100 percent of the proceeds will be given to the ASPCA.

Dog contests and prizes, and raffles will be available this year for the walk. Maddie said all students walking will receive a prize for participating. Blue Buffalo, an all natural pet food company, donated baskets for the raffle.

New produces for purchase this year include stress balls, wrist bands, and dog food bag clips. Maddie said the wrist bands are for sale for $1, and they can be ordered by contacting her through her website, www.kidslendapaw.webs.com. She also said her fellow Reed Intermediate School students can ask to buy a wrist band from her at school.

Maddie said the two-mile walk will be held rain or shine and will kick off at 10:30 am.