Paws for Brittany
The event takes you around the upper pond, past buffalo, elk, wolves and other wildlife. Pets and strollers are welcome. This family-friendly event for all ages benefits the Marshfield Area Pet Shelter.
Funds raised from this event help care for hundreds of homeless animals in the community Brittany grew up in.
Saturday, May 11th, 2024
Wildwood Park & Zoo, Marshfield WI
Registration: 8:00 A.M. Start time: 9:00 A.M.
Registration Fee:
$30.00, ages 13 and above
$35.00 after April 24
No fee required for children 12 and under with paid registration.
Extra t-shirts available for purchase at the event.
All paid participants will receive a Paws For Brittany t-shirt.
PLEASE NOTE: Registrations must be received by April 23 to ensure an event t-shirt. Event t-shirts include the NEW logo, event date and sponsor list.
Registrations received after this date will receive a t-shirt with a PFB logo.
Register online or the morning of the event starting at 8am.
About Brittany
Marshfield native Brittany Zimmermann was attending UW-Madison when she was brutally attacked and murdered on April 2, 2008. Twelve years after the crime, an arrest was made and in October 2022, her murderer was sentenced to life in prison. The loss of Brittany remains extremely difficult for her parents, Kevin and Jean Zimmermann of Marshfield, who take some comfort in caring for Brittany’s three beloved cats, Marvin, Felix and Boo.
“Her love of animals was overwhelming to us. Her cats were such a huge part of her life,” said Jean. “Kevin and I would like to express our gratitude to MAPS for allowing us to be part of something that Brittany would have been so passionate about. We are grateful for everyone who comes out to support MAPS for the Paws for Brittany walk, and we hope even more people come and show their support every year.”
Paws For Brittany was started by family and friends of Brittany to ‘paws’ and remember her compassionate spirit for all animals. Proceeds from this event help support the day-to-day costs of caring for hundreds of homeless animals at the Marshfield Area Pet Shelter (MAPS) every year. The Marshfield Area Pet Shelter is a 501(c)3 non-profit donation dependent organization that believes every animal deserves access to high quality care and a chance to find a loving home. MAPS moved into their new state-of-the-art facility at 3500 Downwind Drive on August 20, 2020. The Cat Adoption Area is dedicated to Brittany and her love for animals.
As Jean has stated numerous times, “Brittany would have LOVED what MAPS is doing to help rescue and protect innocent animals. She always talked about starting her own hobby farm to help care for all the animals she cherished. Brittany would have been so involved with MAPS; it’s just so sad it will never happen now.” That is why this event is so important to our community and to her family and friends. It is our way of coming together to remember Brittany and all that she loved.
Can't Attend? Make a donation in honor of Brittany!
Lifescape Wealth
Auburn Field Canine Services
Automated Products
Badger Title – Marshfield LLC
Bestimate LLC
Castlerock Veterinary Hospital
Central State Supply Corporation
Central Wisconsin Broadcasting, Inc
Chips Hamburgers
Dakota Electric Service
Edward Jones, Kacey DeWitt
Festival Foods
Forward Bank
Heinzen Printing
Insurance Service Center
Mr G’s Saloon
Protect Door
Rembs Funeral Home
Rice’s More Than Floors
Schmidtke’s Cleaning Services
Simplicity Credit Union
Solutionz, LLC
WDLB 98.7 FM
Wisconsin Homes
NRG Media
Big Cheese 107.9
WGLX 103.3
Hot 96.7
Y106.5 Big Country
2023 Individual Sponsors
Bruce & Wanda Shupe
Di Haupt, in memory of Chuck & Cookie
Dianne Schalow
Doug Rau
Neil & Paulette Riedel
Donors
Mary McClung, Alliah Immerfall, Jane Becker, Shelia Martin, Janet Crossley, Andria Derge, Kevin & Jean Zimmermann, Rebecca Bartow, Robert & Kay Haight
SPECIAL THANKS to Brittany’s Parents, Kevin & Jean Zimmermann; Music and Host, Mike Warren
Recap of Previous Events
2022 – Another beautiful Saturday morning! On May 7, 180 participants and their pets gathered at Wildwood Park to honor Brittany. More than $18,000 was raised to help the animals at the Marshfield Area Pet Shelter.
2021 – On a beautiful, but chilly Saturday morning on May 8, 137 participants and their pets joined us to remember Brittany and walk in her honor. More than $9,400 was raised to help the animals at MAPS.
2020 – Our annual Paws for Brittany event was canceled due to COVID 19. However, to honor Brittany, we encouraged everyone to participate social-distance style, virtually. We also created a one-of-a-kind event t-shirt that could be purchased online to support the shelter.
2019 – The 6th annual event to remember Brittany which included a special tribute to our good friend Duane Kulke was held on May 11, 2019. 215 participants and their pets attended. More than $12,200 was raised for the Marshfield Area Pet Shelter.
2018 – On a cool, but sunny Saturday morning on May 12, 2018, more than 220 participants and their pets gathered at Wildwood Park & Zoo for a fun run/dog walk to honor the memory of pet lover, Brittany Zimmerman. More than $10,000 was raised for the Marshfield Area Pet Shelter.
2017 – The 4th annual Paws for Brittany event was held on May 13, 2017 at Wildwood Park & Zoo. Friends and family of Kevin & Jean Zimmermann (Brittany’s parents) and supporters of the Marshfield Area Pet Shelter united to remember Brittany and raise money to help animals. More than 210 people and numerous pets raised $9,000 for this important cause.
2016 – On a beautiful Saturday morning on May 7, 2016, more than 200 participants and their pets gathered at Wildwood Park & Zoo for the 3rd annual fun run/dog walk to honor the memory of pet lover, Brittany Zimmerman. More than $9,000 was raised to help the animals at the Marshfield Area Pet Shelter.
2015 – On May 9, 2015, the 2nd annual Paws For Brittany walk was again held at Wildwood Park. Despite the inclement weather, more than 250 pets and people again walked in memory of Brittany and more than $11,000 was raised for MAPS. Hosting the event this year was Mike Warren from WDLB Radio, and other new features included music, a balloon release, blessing from Pastor Daryn Bahn (Christ Lutheran Church), bandannas, and door prizes.
2014 – On a bright and sunny Saturday morning on May 10, 2014, more than 300 participants and their pets gathered at Wildwood Park & Zoo for an inaugural fun run/dog walk to honor and remember pet lover, Brittany Zimmerman. More than $10,000 was raised for the Marshfield Area Pet Shelter. We would like to thank the many people who came out to support our FIRST Paws For Brittany event!