Are you the type who likes to stay in shape and live an active lifestyle? If you’re in Cambridge this weekend, don’t miss out on one event that gives you the opportunity to lace up your running shoes and work up a sweat.

The 24^th annual Cambridge Times Rotary Run kicks off on the 23^rd of May, Sunday, at the Dickson Arena, at exactly 9 in the morning. Already, residents and fitness buffs in the City of Cambridge are excited about the event – and the fact that the race is for a good cause doesn’t hurt either.

There are two races this Sunday; the first a 2.5k race that kicks off at 10:30 in the morning, and a 5k race that begins at 11 in the morning. Registration is pegged at $20 for the 2.5k race, and $25 for the 5k race.

All proceeds gathered at the Rotary Run will be donated to the KidsAbillity Foundation, a charity program based in Cambridge that helps children with special needs.

According to Cambridge North Rotary Club chairman Larry Olney, over 400 runners join the run each year. For 2010, he hopes that number will increase and reach at least 500.

And if that’s not interesting enough, Wayne Gretzky is also set to make an appearance at the race.

The Animal Hospital of Cambridge’s team of veterenarians have an important goal, and that’s to save one animal each day. The animal hospital was created to rescue orphaned animals and pets suffering from serious medical problems. Just recently, they’ve expanded their space to better accommodate the large number of dogs, cats, and other pets they rescue on a daily basis.

According to Dr. Kathy Hrinivich, one of the hospital’s in-house vets, helping pets is vital task for the hospital, especially since these animals have no voice of their own.

The Animal Hospital of Cambridge is widely regarded as a safe haven for orphaned pets and recuperating animals. Those that are about to euthanized are also welcome at the hospital; in fact, they receive animals from other humane societies and shelters that no longer have any space to keep them.

This is a far better fate than being put down – animal rights groups estimate that some 160 cats are euthanized each week because no one can look after them.

The population of feral cats is a particular problem for the country, the hospital’s veterinarians pointed out. The hospital is encouraging the public to capture strays if they can, and bring them to the hospital to have them spayed to keep them from reproducing.