TurfMutt Foundation Brings Rescue Dogs and Fun to Equip Expo 2025
We attend Equip Expo every year, and one event always draws us in — the TurfMutt Foundation’s dog adoption showcase. Beyond the equipment, education and outdoor demos, this cool dog adoption event is one of the best corners of the biggest landscape show in America. It’s also a fun way to highlight the connection between pets, people and green spaces. We love it, so here’s all the details for the upcoming 2025 event so you can also attend.
TurfMutt Foundation at Equip Expo
The TurfMutt Foundation advocates for living landscapes as both community spaces and pet-friendly yards. Since 2009, it has reached more than 70 million students, educators and families with lessons about the benefits of green spaces. The foundation is also the title sponsor of Lucky Dog, a CBS TV show focused on dog rescue. Brandon McMillan, the celebrated three-time Emmy-winning host of Lucky Dog and a world-renowned animal trainer, will be visiting with Mutt Madness adopters during the Mutt Madness event. From the press release:
“We’re excited to welcome Brandon to Mutt Madness — an event that showcases the profound appreciation our attendees and adopters have for both green spaces and shelter dogs,” says Kris Kiser, President and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) and the TurfMutt Foundation. “With our very own rescue dog, Mulligan the TurfMutt, leading the charge, the TurfMutt Foundation truly embodies the transformative power of our parks and yards within our communities.”
At Equip Expo, the TurfMutt Foundation will actually host two annual events — Mulligan’s 5K Fun Run and Walk and Mulligan’s Mutt Madness — combining fitness, community and adoption opportunities for attendees.
Mulligan’s 5K Fun Run and Walk
The 5K kicks off Wednesday, October 22, at Louisville Slugger Field. Runners and walkers start at 7 a.m. The course winds past Waterfront Park and crosses the Ohio River on the Big Four Pedestrian Bridge. The event benefits the Kentucky Humane Society (KHS). Participants receive a long-sleeve running shirt and commemorative medal. See above.
Mulligan’s Mutt Madness
On Thursday, October 23, the South Wing A Lobby at the Kentucky Exposition Center fills with wagging tails. Mutt Madness runs from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in partnership with KHS. Since its debut in 2018, the event has matched nearly 100 shelter dogs with new families, including Mulligan the TurfMutt himself. Attendees can meet adoptable dogs, talk with shelter staff and even take home a new family member. It’s a welcome pause from the show floor and one of Equip Expo’s most memorable traditions. From the press release:
“Mulligan’s Mutt Madness is a highlight for KHS, and we can’t thank the TurfMutt Foundation and Equip Exposition enough for their incredible partnership,” says Alisa Gray, President & CEO of KHS. “Their support literally transforms lives, helping us connect so many amazing dogs with their perfect families. We’re excited to make more happy matches at Mulligan’s Mutt Madness 2025!”
Why Compact Equipment Readers Should Attend Equip Expo
Equip Expo remains one of the largest tradeshows in the United States. It takes over Louisville, Kentucky, from October 21–24 with more than a million square feet of exhibits and outdoor demos. The show is a hands-on opportunity to see compact equipment in action, test attachments and compare models side by side. Education sessions cover irrigation, lighting, pesticide management, leadership and business growth. The event also includes live concerts (Big & Rich!), keynotes (Jesse Cole, the mastermind behind the Savannah Bananas!) and networking. For contractors, landscapers and equipment dealers, Equip Expo is a one-stop shop to explore new machines, sharpen skills and connect with peers.
Plan Ahead
Register early to save money and secure hotel rooms. Download the Equip Expo app to map the halls, outdoor demo yard and event schedule. Comfortable shoes, a good plan and time set aside for TurfMutt’s events will make for a rewarding visit.
Keith Gribbins is publisher of Compact Equipment.
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