“Kickin’ It for Kritters” adoption event held in Clarksburg

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. – Kickin’ it for Katy, a suicide awareness organization, partnered with the Marion County Humane Society and Davis Crew Kittens to hold an adoption event on Sunday.

Kickin’ it for Katy holds an annual 5k walk at Fairmont State University. For the month of September, however, it is working with the Marion County Humane Society to cover the adoption fees of all animals.

Gina Dixon, the founder of Kickin’ it for Katy, spoke with 12 News about why they chose to hold the event.

“Katy was my 17-year-old granddaughter who passed away and she was really big into animals so, of course we do the suicide awareness event and because she was an animal advocate, we do things with the humane society as well,” Dixon said.

The adoption event also had food vendors, facepainting, and permanent jewelry for those that stopped by.

Jonna Spatafore, the shelter director of the Marion County Humane Society shared with 12 News the importance of adoption through shelters like hers.

“The animals that come to us are basically unwanted. People have had lifestyle changes, things happen, they can’t afford them. We do pull from animal control, so they’re found stray and people never picked them up. So, we have all these amazing animals that just need homes,” Spatafore said.

For the rest of September, Kickin’ it for Katy will cover the adoption fees for animals at the shelter. The annual Kickin’ it for Katy 5k will be held April 25, 2026 in Fairmont.