ORLANDO, Fla. - April is National Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month and many animal advocates across Central Florida are working to get the message out to help protect our furry friends.

Saturday morning, hundreds of dogs and their owners came out for the 10th annual Paws for Peace fundraiser to help raise money for Harbor House of Central Florida. It's a cause that many dogs and their owners wanted to come to support the cause, to help victims of abuse and their pets get out of a "ruff" situation.

Walking into Blue Jacket Park in Orlando, it was a jaw-dropping sight.

“It’s a good turnout so that’s fabulous,” said Sarah Whitaker, who is walking Paws for Peace with her dog, "Mr. T-Rex." 

To match the 1970’s theme, Whitaker and "Mr. T-Rex” dressed up as the pop-icon formerly known as Prince.

“I just went and looked at what Prince’s Purple Rain outfit looked like, got all the elements and put it together," Whitaker said. "I had to use stretch bathing suit material for it!”

The Paws for Peace walk brought peppy pooches both big and small from around Orlando, ready to walk their owners around the park. The money raised will help support Harbor House of Central Florida’s on-site kennel, so those leaving abusive situations can take their furry friends with them.

“We know that a lot of people that are in a bad situation, don’t leave that situation because they have pets that they don’t want to leave behind. Having the ability to house the pets as well as the individual and perhaps family is important to help people get into a different situation,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. 

“It’s truly a life-saving program for the animals and also the humans," said Michelle Sperzel, CEO of Harbor House of Central Florida. "Often, the animals are the first victims in a domestic violence situation. We’ve had animals come in with cuts on them, they’ve had burns on them, broken ribs and so we also offer veterinary care to the animals coming in who have been abused to make sure they’re OK and that they can have a healthy and safe life, too.”

Sperzel said challenges brought on by the pandemic depleted a lot of their funds. They’re hopeful that by wagging some tails around town, they can raise money to ensure they can continue to help abuse victims and their pets escape dangerous relationships.

Whitaker and Mr. T-Rex have plans to come back, year after year, getting in a good walk for a good cause.

“I sure will,” Whitaker said. 

Advocates say events like the Paws for Peace fundraiser are important because 88 percent of pets living in domestic violence homes are either abused or killer. And nearly three in four pet-owning women entering into a shelter reported their abuser had hurt, killed or threatened their pet for revenge or to control their victims.

For more information, including how to help Harbor House, visit the website here.