Local Living Local Living Whole lot of puppy love
| Whole lot of puppy love |
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| Written by Julie C Vincent |
| Friday, 05 June 2009 10:25 |
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Canine companions hit the trails for the Humane Society More than 600 dogs ran, walked and trotted their way to raising over $75,000 at this year’s Calgary Humane Society’s (CHS)Dog Jog at Fish Creek Park in late May. Dogs of every size and breed at this year’s sold out event were accompanied by over 500 humans, whose canines led them along the 2k and 5k routes through the Glennfield Group Area in the park. Lindsay Jones, Communications Manager with the Calgary Humane Society, says this fundraiser is critical to Humane Society’s operations. The funds go towards satisfying a variety of base line-needs including food and shelter for approximately 9,000 abandoned or surrendered pets that come through CHS’s facilities each year.
“We’d be in big trouble without the funding we receive through our events. Calgary would be looking at more critters on the streets. It would become a huge problem very quickly,” says Jones, referring to how the work CHS does affects this city. She said that since January this year, CHS has seen a three-fold rise in the numbers of animals surrendered to the Humane Society. Such a major increase is due in large part to the current economic situation in Alberta having had a serious effect on pet owners’ ability to afford to feed and care for their pets. Jones says the Society not only receives surrendered cats and dogs but rabbits, reptiles and birds, including two very rare Blue Hyacinth parrots, recovered in a police raid. The Society even received a pot bellied pig that was surrendered following a change in the City’s bylaw’s. The Calgary Humane Society operates solely on donations, 95% of which come from private donors, and fundraising through events.
More than $75,000 was raised for the Calgary Humane Society at this year’s Dog Jog fundraiser. The money goes towards a variety of needs, including food and shelter for approximately 9,000 abandoned and surrendered pets that come into the CHS’s facilities every year, says Jones. Photo: Julie C Vincent/ Calgary Journal She stresses that people should do their homework before getting a pet. “We want to make sure that pets are family members for their life.” The Calgary Human Society accepts donations throughout the year either in person, by mail or through their website at www.calgaryhumane.ca. The Society also receives funds via designated donations that come through Calgary United Way. Planning for the 10th annual Dog Jog is already underway. Due to its ever-increasing success, the event will be moving to a larger area in 2010 in order to accommodate the growing number of dogs and their humans who wish to participate. Further information on the 10th annual Dog Jog, other upcoming CHS events and volunteer opportunities with CHS is also listed on the Society’s website. |
