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Humane Society Woof Walk raises funds to help animals

May 18, 2023   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

The Alliston & District Humane will host its Woof Walk to raise much-needed funds for the local animal rescue and shelter.

The number of animals received is increasing this year and is up over 400 per cent compared to the same time last year. The shelter is seeing a record number of abandoned and stray animals coming through its doors.

Many of the animals have medical issues requiring attention, and the added number of animals is putting a strain on veterinary costs.

This year, the Humane Society decided to make this event more than just a walk. It will be a day-long event with a lot to see and do. There will be vendors, door prizes, a barbecue, and a dog agility course.

You help by signing up and walking the trails around the Humane Society’s large property. There is a 1 km walk and a 2 km walk on the property.

“We’ll have a barbecue and we have vendors coming in,” explained Sherri Wilson, Humane Society volunteer and board member. “We have some dogs that will be performing on a dog agility course, and a photography booth for people’s pets. We’re turning it into more of an event for the day. Starbucks will have a booth there as well.”

Many of the animals need medical attention when they arrive. This year, there is a focus on a Bulldog named Chloe, that requires orthopedic surgery on her knee that will cost around $4,000. Without the surgery, Chloe will spend her life disabled.

There are several reasons why there are so many abandoned animals this year. Some people purchased pets during the pandemic, only to be called back to work and find they can no longer adequately care for the animal.

“Many of these are pandemic animals that are being surrendered,” Sherri explained. “People have returned to work and just can’t cope with the pets they adopted during COVID. There are people with financial issues, and we’ve had a lot of people who are homeless surrendering their animals. A lot of the animals being surrendered have medical issues. Around 90 per cent of all the animals coming in are not spayed or neutered.”

There have also been a large number of rabbits that have been abandoned along the side of the road or in parks. Domestic rabbits are not equipped to be on their own in the wild.

The Alliston & District Humane Society Woof Walk will take place on Saturday, June 10, at the shelter, at 5545 Concession Rd. 4, Adjala-Tosorontio, near Everett.

Registration for the walk starts at 10:00 a.m., with the walk commencing at 11:00 a.m.

Visit the website at: www.AllistonHumane.com to register.

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