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Friends for Life Walk raises $14,000 for OSPCA

October 1, 2018   ·   0 Comments

By Jasen Obermeyer

The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) Orangeville branch held their seventh annual Friends for Life! Walk this past Saturday (Sept. 22), and raised $14,000 and counting, to help the centre raise funds and awareness for the protection and care of animals in need.

Throughout the weekend, 13 district events took place to raise much-needed funds for the OSPCA. The local walk, held at the Island Lake Conservation Area, saw over 100 people walk for two kilometres on one of the conservation area’s trails. Their dogs of various breeds, shapes, sizes and colours accompanied them.

“It’s just really empowering,” said Jennifer Yapa, manager of the Orangeville shelter. “It’s such a community feel, getting everybody out here for such a great cause.”

Along with dog and animal lovers getting to enjoy the beautiful weather, and get some exercise, there was also a BBQ lunch, raffle prizes, balloons, face painting, and music. The walk, along with National Cupcake Day in February, are the two largest fundraising events for the organization.

“The dogs are smiling, their tails are wagging, everyone’s enjoying the day,” said Ms. Yapa.

She explained that the funds raised in the Orangeville walk go directly to help the centre and its animals, including emergency rescue, food and supplies, provide medical care, as well as spade and neutering. “We do lots of things for the community, in terms of supporting animal welfare and advocating for animal needs.” She added that the walk also provides awareness to the centre, the programs and work involved.

Recently, the centre took in four mixed dogs from remote communities in Manitoba, which Ms. Yapa said is part of the organization declaring 2018 the Year of the Northern Dog, which due to the Northern dog overpopulation, many need resources, support, and families.

“We’ve had lots and lots of interest in the program,” she noted. “It’s definitely a great feeling seeing how we can partner together in communities.”

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