A walk with man’s best friend in Hamilton/Burlington SPCA’s Wiggle-Waggle Walk-A-Thon

This article was originally published in CBC Hamilton, Sept. 8, 2012

Mother nature promises a sunny Sunday morning so you might want to grab the dog and head down to Bayfront Park for Wiggle Waggle Walk-A-Thon.

Organized by the Hamilton/Burlington SPCA (HBSPCA), the 5-kilometre dog-walking event attracts 1,000 pet lovers, coming together with their dogs in support of animal cruelty prevention.

“It’s the biggest event every year. It’s important for us to spread awareness of what we do at the SPCA. To get the best medical care, sheltering and food, and behavioural care,” said Meredith Marino, communications coordinator from HBSPCA.

Each participant donates a minimum of $25 and since the HBSPCA relies entirely on donations Marino says the event helps the organization continue to provide care for animals.

“Twenty-five dollars really makes a difference in an animal’s life. It pays for the vaccine that an animal gets for medical assessment,” Marino said. The HBSPCA has a fundraising goal of $125,000 for the event.

There will be more than animals and their owners. The event will also have vendors selling dog food and merchandise and a BBQ hamburger lunch.

There also will be dog obedience demonstrations and budding singer, Jenn Connor from Caledonia, will perform her debut single “Be Your Girl”

Registration begins at 9 a.m. Sunday.