By: Victoria Brawn
Ready to get your paws muddy? There’s an SPCA fundraising event happening on September 24th. Head down to Beaver Island State Park, Grand Island NY for the 29th annual Paws at the Park fundraising walk!
The walk is two miles long at the beautiful Beaver Island State Park- pets welcome, of course! Teams and individuals will be walking along the lovely riverside trail with their furry friends. There will be pet memorial signs posted along the walk trail for furry friends and family past, as well as a basket raffle where you can win a variety of amazing prizes. If you’re looking to find something special for your four legged friend, there are going to be plenty of pet related vendors and food trucks. Anyone interested is encouraged to start up a team or sign up as an individual and join in. If you can’t make it on Saturday, you can still sign up to do a virtual walk from Saturday, September 17th until Saturday, September 24th.
Even if you don’t decide to walk or fundraise, you and your pet are still more than welcome at the event! There is a $25 registration fee for each adult that covers breakfast, lunch, access to the vendor area and more! Kids 12 and under are free, and kids 12 to 17 pay $17 to enter. All proceeds go directly to the SPCA. Registration will run from 8:30 am to 10:30 am, demonstrations are at 9am and the walk begins at 10am with lunch at 11am and the basket raffle drawing beginning at 11:30am. You can register here.
Teams and individuals help raise money to continue the important work that the SPCA does all year long- rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals. In 2020 the SPCA adopted out 4,177 animals, including 1,030 dogs and 2,340 cats. The SPCA also took in 72 farm animals and rehabilitated 3,386 wildlife animals including owls, foxes, birds and skunks. This year’s fundraising goal is $57,000 toward 2022 and 2023’s care costs. Nearly 3,000 animals were spayed and neutered and the SPCA covered the cost of important surgeries for pets living with their forever families. The SPCA is privately owned and gets no money from the state, local or federal government so all of the incredible work they do is funded completely by donations from people like you. The SPCA is the second largest humane society in the country, and not a branch of the ASPCA. It is locally owned, cared for and run.
Individuals who raise one hundred dollars or more can win prizes like water bottles, shirts and backpacks. Raise two hundred or more dollars and you will get access to the VIP tent with massages, henna tattoos, and free gift cards.
Can’t make it to the walk but still want to support? The SPCA is always looking for volunteers! Work directly with animals, or work with the public as an adoption volunteer to match pets with their fur-ever home. You can also donate directly to the SPCA by purchasing something off of their Amazon wishlist or making an annual donation. All donations are tax deductible. Check out their website for more information.