EDWARDSVILLE — Metro East Humane Society will host its third annual Newt Scoot, a tribute bike ride honoring Newt, a former MEHS cat who became known among trail users, from 9 to 11 a.m. Oct. 17, 2026, at Miner Park in Glen Carbon. Proceeds from the event will support the organization’s animal welfare work in the St. Louis Metro East region.
The ride follows MCT Trails and honors Newt, a 7-year-old orange tabby cat adopted from Metro East Humane Society. Newt lived near the Madison County Transit Trails in the Edwardsville and Glen Carbon area and became familiar to cyclists and other trail users, particularly along the Nickel Plate Trail in Edwardsville.
Newt was found deceased on May 26, 2024, after being missing for a week. His death prompted tributes from residents who had come to know him on the trail.
This year’s Newt Scoot event will include two longer route options along the MCT Trails. Riders who complete those routes will receive a free Newt Scoot water bottle and sticker. Riders of all ages and skill levels are welcome, and the event will include various routes, vendors, food trucks, raffles and giveaways.
Early registration is open and costs $45. It includes an event T-shirt and registration for Woofstock. Day-of registration will be available, but it does not guarantee an event T-shirt.
After the ride, Woofstock will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Miner Park. The event is described as a celebration of peace, love and pets.
Sponsorships also are available for Newt Scoot. Those interested in sponsoring may email developmentmgr@mehs.org.
Metro East Humane Society said proceeds will go toward its mission of improving animal welfare in the St. Louis Metro East region. Its primary programs include animal adoption, low-cost veterinary services, a trap-neuter-return program and humane education sessions. MEHS opens its doors to stray animals and pets surrendered by their owners. Animals receive health assessments, temperament testing and necessary medical care before adoption. Before placement, animals are spayed or neutered, microchipped and vaccinated. In 2025, MEHS found homes for more than 1,500 pets.
The organization also offers low-cost spay and neuter services three days a week to residents in its service area, along with low-cost vaccine and microchip clinics during the year. Last year, more than 2,600 community-owned pets were served through the public spay, neuter and vaccine clinics.
Through its trap-neuter-return program, MEHS humanely traps feral cats, spays or neuters them, vaccinates and microchips them, and returns them to their colonies. The program enabled MEHS to trap, neuter, and return nearly 586 feral cats throughout Madison County in the last year.
MEHS also provides educational programs on animal care and humane issues to local schools, churches and other community organizations.
Metro East Humane Society has worked in animal welfare across Madison, St. Clair, Jersey, Bond and Macoupin counties for four decades. The organization has served people, cats and dogs in the St. Louis Metro East region since 1986 through a no-kill shelter that provides humane medical treatment, vaccinations and spay and neuter services.
Early Registration is Open: app.dvforms.net/api/dv/386ydx
Those interested in early registration or sponsoring to help raise funds in support of their community-driven mission visit: app.dvforms.net/api/dv/386ydx. To learn more about MEHS and the cause you are supporting through your participation, visit: mehs.org/.
