Spencer Smith Park went to the dogs at Pooch Promenade

June 7th, 2011 by Michelle Gatien Comment button

18th Annual Burlington Humane Society’s Pooch Promenade at Spencer Smith Park.

Dogs of all sizes and colours took over Spencer Smith Park on Sunday, May 29, to take part in the Burlington Humane Society’s 18th annual Pooch Promenade.

The Pooch Promenade started out as the Burlington Humane Society’s first major fundraising event and while it has evolved over time, it remains their biggest fundraising venture. “It gets the community involved,” says Melissa Hyslop Special Events Director, “it also helps to raise awareness about who we are and what we do in the community”. Sunday’s event brought out dogs and their owners, local pet related vendors and service operators. The walk is a 5km walk, though a shorter 1.5 km stroll was also available to participants.

Leading this year’s walk, were Humane Society Mascots Bowser and Meowser. Alongside them was Dallas, a Shepherd cross, who is currently available for adoption at the shelter. After the walk, participants were treated to a BBQ and a Team K-9 Agility Show. The highlight of the post-Promenade event was the Alumni parade, which showcases dogs that were adopted from the Humane Society. “I like to see the dogs adopted by us,” Hyslop said. “It helps to bring exposure to the dogs that we have waiting to be adopted.”

Founded in 1974, the Burlington Humane Society’s mandate is to help stray and abandoned animals in the City of Burlington. They are a “no-kill” shelter, only euthanizing animals due to extreme illness or behaviour issues. Over 400 volunteers work with the Humane Society, either working directly with the animals in the shelter or by helping to organize events like the Pooch Promenade.

“Animal lovers are always looking for ways to get involved with animals in the community but often don’t know how and events like the Pooch Promenade is just one way to get involved with the Burlington Humane Society,” according to Hyslop.

Along with their work with stray and abandoned animals, the Burlington Humane Society also works in the community, offering outreach presentations to schools and community groups that teach how people can respect and care for animals in the community. Another outreach program is weekly therapy dog visits to Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital and retirement homes in the City. In this program, carefully selected dogs bring warmth and affection to patients and residents.

Formerly known as Animal Aid, the Burlington Humane Society is always looking for volunteers to work in the shelter, foster animals or to help in the Humane Society stores, events and with general tasks. Fore more information about volunteering or to learn more about the Burlington Humane Society, check out their website at burlingtonhumane.ca.

Tags: dogs, Humane Society