Whether you decide to bring your dog or perhaps even your cat, the Prince Rupert SPCA is inviting people of the community and their furry friends to partake in the annual Paws for a Cause event on Sunday, September 9 that raises money for the local shelter.
Paws for a Cause is the BC SPCA’s biggest fundraising event of the year. The SPCA and Scotiabank hold the event annually in 35 communities across British Columbia, including Prince Rupert. Last year there were over 30 participants that raised more than $7,000 at the local event.
“It’s like a walkathon, but you can bring your pets. I’ve seen people bring their cats on leashes, but it’s mostly dogs,” laughed Anna Terebka, the branch manager of Prince Rupert’s SPCA.
Paws for a Cause 2012 will start at Mariner’s Park at 11 a.m. on September 9. There will be entertainment and a number of activities taking place, including a bowl-licking contest. The actual walk will begin at noon, with participants heading down to Rushbrook and then back to Mariner’s Park.
Participants are asked to collect pledges before the event, with the recommended pledge amount being $200. People can register both online at www.spca.bc.ca/walk, or by picking up a pledge form at various locations around town and bringing it to the event with them.
The top adult fundraiser will receive a free grizzly bear tour from Adventure Tours and the top youth fundraiser will get a game package from Good Times Games, with all registered participants receiving a t-shirt.
Funds collected will be put towards the local SPCA branch, with Terebka saying a majority of the money will be put towards keeping the building open.
“It won’t be spent on anything specific, it’s just to keep this place going. Every year our shelter runs at a deficit but they keep us open because they know that there is a need here,” explained Terebka.
And is there ever a need. Prince Rupert and Port Edward’s feral cat problem is no secret, with various groups in the community trying to find a lasting solution. Most of these groups have agreed that the solution is to make sure cats are spayed and neutered.
“I want to stress the importance of spaying and neutering your animals, especially cats,” Terebka pleaded.
As of August 24 there were 30 cats available for adoption at the SPCA alone, as well as seven dogs. However all together the branch has 58 animals in their care, a majority of which are cats and kittens.
Anyone wishing to adopt an animal from the Prince Rupert SPCA branch can do so by visiting the shelter and filling out an adoption application, or filling an application out online.
“We will go through the application and try to chose an animal that is best suited to your needs,” said Terebka.