BY JESSICA LANTHIER
Helping save the lives of orphaned and abandoned animals has never been sweeter.
For the first time ever in Ontario, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and the Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society will be holding National Cupcake Day on Feb. 25. They are inviting everyone to bake a batch, host a cupcake party and collect donations all in support of SPCAs and humane societies across Canada.
All funds raised in the area will stay with the K-W and North Waterloo humane societies.
This tasty fundraiser, which is similar to a pledged event, is designed to help raise much-needed money for all types of animals, from kittens to cows that have been abandoned, abused or just need help.
“This is really a fun, grassroots way to help fight animal cruelty and make a difference,” said Marc Ralsky, director of community and donor development for the Ontario SPCA in a press release.
“Everyone loves cupcakes, and they taste even sweeter when you know it’s for a good cause.”
Each and every donation can make a difference in the lives of animals, from a $10 enrichment toy for a cat which assists in behavioural development, to a $100 spaying and neutering surgical procedure which helps get them on the road to adoption into their new forever home.
Marjorie Brown, the development director at the Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society, said she is proud of all the work done at this location.
“We all go above and beyond to take care of animals,” she said.
The K-W Humane Society, which is the fourth largest in Ontario, took in 1,165 canines, 3,574 felines and had a 70-80 per cent adoption success rate last year.
“Our goal is to have 90 per cent adoption success, whether it is finding the original owners of an animal, or finding them a new forever home.”
According to Brown, the society has Kathy Innocente, animal care manager, to thank for a great deal of the success and devotion at this location. The team, led by Innocente, went into action last June when they came across a possible outbreak of ringworm, a non-deadly but highly contagious disease, in some of the animals at the facility.
To prevent spreading, Innocente rented two trailers: one for intake and one for isolation. The project cost a total of $50,000 but it was a success.
“She is amazing,” Brown said of Innocente. “A total animal care person.”
To register or for further information about National Cupcake Day, visit www.nationalcupcakeday.ca.
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