Whether its on two or four legs, the entire community is invited to put their best paw forward in the Squamish BC SPCA fundraising event Paws For A Cause this Saturday (Sept. 10).
The goal is raise funds and awareness around the work of the local SPCA branch. Festivities and registration for the walk begin at 11 a.m. which leaves from O’Siyam Pavilion Park on Cleveland Avenue at 2 p.m.
Throughout the day there will be dog agility demonstrations by Sea To Sky Canines, games for dogs like the crowd-pleasing ‘dunking for wienies,’ a barbecue and silent auction, and community vendors including nail trimming by The Green Dog by donation, micro-chipping by Garibaldi Vet Clinic for $10, dress-up photos with Eagleview Veterinary Hospital, and animal and owner portraits for $10 by Soundingsoul Photography, said event organizer and Squamish SPCA branch manager Marika Donnelly.
The silent auction is open for bids throughout the day, Donnelly said. “We have 50 to 60 amazing items, including rounds of golf and gondola passes.”
The goal for this year’s province-wide event is to raise $7,000 locally. All money raised here on Saturday will stay within the Sea to Sky corridor.
Donnelly said the branch supports 300-plus animals every year at a cost of approximately $147,000, based on last year’s numbers.
“Medical, including dental, is by far our highest expense,” she explained.
“We have quite a few coming in needing extensive care – there are cruelty investigations, strays and sick animals people can no longer care for,” she said, adding that the organization doesn’t receive government funding and the operation relies on donations to keep going.
Registration for the walk, which goes from Cleveland Avenue to the waterfront, is $25 for those over the age of 16, but everyone is encouraged to join in.
“Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome on the walk,” she said.
For more information on the event visit http://support.spca.bc.ca/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=1672#.VBhqjV6Vzvx, the BC SPCA Squamish page on Facebook or call the branch at (604) 898-9890.
