Walk of Love

Presented by the Rosenthal Family Foundation

Lace up your shoes and open your heart for the animals who need you most. Join Heartland Animal Shelter for our annual Walk of Love—a community celebration where every step you take helps homeless animals. This companion animal-friendly event includes a 2-mile walk with rest stops, pre- and post-party with food, beverages, activities, raffles, and much more.

When you sign up to walk, fundraise, or donate, you become a lifeline. Since 2002, you and supporters like you have helped Heartland rescue nearly 20,000 cats and dogs. You help provide everything from emergency surgeries to warm blankets, nutritious meals to adoption support. And if you sign up or donate today, your gift will be doubled up to $5,000!

Can’t join the walk? You can still register for the “Sleep In” (virtual walk) option!

Step Up and Make a Difference

Walk of Love isn’t just a fun stroll with fellow animal lovers—it’s your chance to make a real difference. When you join Heartland Animal Shelter’s Annual Walk of Love, you’re stepping up to give more animals a second chance. You’re raising the funds that help save lives.

Raise your registration fee and receive the 2026 Walk of Love T-Shirt
Raise $100 and receive 5 complimentary Walk of Love raffle entries
Raise $250 and receive 10 complimentary Walk of Love raffle entries
Raise $500 and receive sponsorship of a Dog Kennel or Cat Condo for a year
Raise $1000+ and receive an engraved dog bone or fish displayed at the shelter

Fundraising Notes

T-Shirt Deadlines: Raise your minimum by May 25 to get your shirt at the event. If reached after the May 25 deadline, your shirt will be available for pick-up at the shelter; you will be notified when it is ready.
Other Incentives: In addition to your event t-shirt, you will receive the highest-value incentive earned based on your total raised by June 13.

Try Your Luck!

There are 3 ways to try your luck at the Walk. Play one, two, or play them all!

Raffle Baskets
Get your tickets to win one or more of the 5 amazing baskets we are raffling. You do not need to be at the Walk of Love to be a winner! (Details below!)
50/50 Raffle
Don’t miss your chance! Get your tickets for the 50/50 raffle for a chance to split the pot with Heartland. You do not need to be at the Walk of Love to be a winner!
Duck Pull Game
Get your tickets and pull your duck at the Walk to see what you won.You must be at the Walk to select your duck.

ADVANCED RAFFLE & DUCK SALES WILL END AT MIDNIGHT ON THURSDAY BEFORE THE WALK, BUT WILL REOPEN FOR IN-PERSON SALES AT TH

Win a Curated Basket

Win one or more of the following five amazing baskets. You do not need to be at the Walk of Love to winner!

Chill, Grill & Pamper Deluxe - $430 value

$430 value
Get ready to kick back in style with a basket that truly does it all! Fire up the grill without the cleanup hassle thanks to the automatic Grillbot, then treat yourself to homemade frozen creations with your very own ice cream maker.

Upgrade your space with a sleek 3-in-1 tablet stand featuring a built-in speaker and charging station—perfect for recipes, music, or movie nights.

Enjoy delicious dining with a $50 Dorfler’s gift card and a stop at Chalet for a little extra indulgence. Meanwhile, your furry friend gets the VIP treatment with a relaxing 60-minute pet massage. And just when you think it couldn’t get sweeter… enjoy a free Nothing Bundt Cakes bundtlet every month for an entire year!

It’s the ultimate mix of convenience, comfort, treats, and tail wags.

Grillbot Black: Automatic Grill Cleaning Robot
Free Bundtlet every month for a year – Nothing Bundt Cakes – Mt. Prospect
60-minute Pet Massage – The Right Spot Pet Massage
$50 Dorflers Gift Card
My Mug Ice Cream Maker
JTEMAN 3-in-1 Tablet Stand with Bluetooth Speaker & Charging Stations
$25 Chalet Gift Certificate – Wilmette

Swing, Style & Sandwiches - $450 value

$450 value

Tee up for the ultimate day out! This basket scores you a round of golf for four (with carts) at Chevy Chase in Wheeling—perfect for friendly competition and fresh air. Keep your look on point with sleek Carrera navigator sunglasses, then refuel like a champ with four $20 gift certificates to Rammy’s Sub Contractors. Whether you’re chasing birdies or just the perfect sandwich, this package has your day covered from the first swing to the last bite.

Round with carts for golfing foursome – Chevy Chase – Wheeling
Carrera 8040/S Mens, Black, Stainless Steel, Navigator shape, Eye Size-60
Four – $20 Rammy’s Sub Contractors Gift Certificate – Wheeling

Radiance, Relaxation & Ruff Retreats –$425 value

Step into a world of glow and good vibes with this feel-good bundle designed for total mind, body, and pup wellness![/caption]

Treat your skin to a 60-minute Diamond Hydroworks facial at Aesthetics Temple—where deep hydration meets serious glow goals. Keep the spa vibes going at home with a soothing essential oil diffuser and calming sleep mist, and top it all off with a sun-kissed boost from a Finnatic Tan spray session.

Balance the bliss with a little movement thanks to passes for the Wheeling Health & Fitness Center or indoor pool, then grab a casual bite with a Rammy’s Sub Contractors gift certificate. And don’t forget your four-legged friend—this basket includes a getaway of their own with a gift certificate to Waggles Pet Resort.

From radiant skin to relaxed nights and happy tails, this basket is your all-access pass to feeling good.

Aesthetics Temple Facial Diamond Hydroworks 60 minute facial
$50 Waggles Pet Resort Gift Certificate – Wheeling
4 passes to Wheeling Health & Fitness Center OR Indoor Pool
One free spray tanning session – Finnatic Tan
YALEDI Essential Oil Diffuser – colorful flame simulation in 4 colors timer setting
$20 Rammy’s Sub Contractors Gift Certificate – Wheeling
Hythe Tranquility Sleep Mist

Pedals, Pints & Paws Adventure Pack - $475 value

$475 value[/caption]

This basket is packed for a full-on good time—for you and your four-legged sidekick! Cruise into adventure with a bike tune-up from Mike’s Bike Shop, then refuel with a Chicago Food Tour experience and a stop at Pizza Pavia. Kick back with a Lazy Dog bundle featuring a cooler bag, cap, beer, and a $50 gift card—perfect for sunny hangouts. Treat your pup to the ultimate relaxation with a 60-minute pet massage, and keep the sweet vibes rolling all year long with a free Bundtlet every month from Nothing Bundt Cakes. It’s the perfect mix of motion, munchies, and pampering!
Must be 21 to purchase.

Lazy Dog Bag – cooler bag, tote bag, baseball cap, 4 pack of beer, $50 gift card
$100 Chicago Food Tours Gift Certificate
Bike Tune-Up – Mike’s Bike Shop – Palatine
Free Bundtlet every month for a year – Nothing Bundt Cakes – Mt. Prospect
60-minute Pet Massage – The Right Spot Pet Massage
$30 Pizza Pavia Gift Card – Prospect Heights

Paws, Play & Pampered Days - $485 value

$485 value

Treat your pup (and yourself) to the ulti-mutt experience! This basket is packed with tail-wagging fun, including daycare time at Wiggly Tails in Northbrook and two splash-tastic swim sessions with Splash Dog. Keep your furry friend feeling fresh with a 3-month hygiene package from Scenthound, plus a $40 Petco gift card for all their favorite goodies.

At home, stay organized with an adorable bone-shaped mosaic leash holder—because even walk time should be stylish. And while your pup is living their best life, you can enjoy a night out with a $50 gift card to RPM Italian then head home to work on your Doggy Day Care puzzle.

It’s the perfect mix of playtime, pampering, and a little treat for you, too!

Splash Dog 2 swim sessions

Scenthound – 3-month certificate or basic hygiene services (bath, ear cleaning, nail clipping, teeth brushing)
$100 Wiggly Tails Daycare for Dogs Gift Card – Northbrook
$50 RPM Italian Gift Card – Chicago, Wash DC, Vegas
Bone shaped mosaic tile leash holder with 2 hooks
$40 Petco Gift Card
Werkshoppe Doggy Day Care 1000 piece puzzle

What to Do at the Walk

Explore Vendor Village
Browse local pet vendors, treats, services, rescue supporters, and animal-loving businesses.

Stop By Kids Corner
Families can enjoy kid-friendly games, coloring activities, crafts, bubbles, and fun surprises throughout the morning.

Don’t Miss the Pup Ice Cream Parlor
Treat your dog to a special frozen snack after the walk.

Cool Down in the Splash Dog Kiddie Pool
Dogs can cool off and splash around in kiddie pools sponsored by Splash Dog.

Take Photos with Ziggy
Stop by for a fun keepsake photo with Ziggy the Bulldog!

Visit the Rainbow Bridge

In the 1959 poem The Rainbow Bridge, a bridge signifies a peaceful place where animals are restored to health while they wait to reunite with their owners. At the Walk of Love, the Heartland Rainbow Bridge serves as a touching memorial for participants to honor and remember their beloved companions who have passed away.

Walk of Love Sponsors

Presenting Sponsor

Rainbow Bridge Sponsor

Pack Sponsor

Event Sponsors

Days

When:
Saturday, June 13, 2026
8:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Where:
Potawatomi Woods,
(Entrance on Dundee Road, just east of Milwaukee Avenue)
Northbrook/Wheeling
Free parking onsite.
Map & Directions

Weather:
Rain or shine, we will walk!

Schedule:
8:45 a.m.
-Registration and t-shirt pickup
-Coffee, pastries, fruit, and beverages
-Vendor Village, Kids Corner, and activities
-Raffle ticket sales begin
9:00 a.m.
Welcome remarks
9:30 a.m.
–Walk begins (there are 1-mile, 1.5-mile, and 2-mile options)
10:00 a.m.
-Activities, snacks, raffles, and pup treats
10:30 a.m.
Heartland alumni photo and large group photo
11:00 a.m.
Raffle winners announced (you do not need to be present to win.)

What to Bring:
-Sunscreen
-Bug spray
-A refillable water bottle – we will have water tanks for refills
-Poop bags to help keep the trails clean
-Cash for games, raffles, and activities (Venmo/card options may be limited)
-Standard leash (retractable leashes are not permitted)

Please keep pups on a leash and cats in a stroller at all times.

Important Reminders

Event Waivers:
All attendees must complete the event waiver before participating. Please complete the waiver electronically by Friday, June 12. If you registered additional adults in your group, please forward this email so they can complete their waivers as well. Paper copies will also be available at t-shirt pickup and at the event.

T-Shirt Pickup:
Skip the lines at the Walk and pick up your t-shirt on June 11th or June 12th at the shelter. You will be notified by email to confirm your t-shirt is ready for pickup!

Donate $10 or more to support Heartland’s Walk of Love and the animals we transfer from Chicago Animal Care and Control. Receive a bandana as a badge of honor.