Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Lennox and Addington OSPCA is once again calling on its supporters to lace up their running shoes and get ready to Sweat for Pets-all while raising money for a cause.
Back for a second year, the virtual Sweat for Pets campaign kicked off May 25 and runs until June 25. The month long event challenges people to collect pledges while taking part in athletic activities of their choice-whether it be walking, running, biking, kayaking-the activity and distance is all up to the participant.
The fundraiser was created to replace the in-person Friends For Life Walk, which used to take place every September in the pre-COVID days.
“It’s unlikely that we’ll be able to do that again this year but people can definitely in the spirit of the Friends For Life Walk make a walking goal for themselves, a running goal for themselves, some people are even doing water based goals,” explains Esther McCutcheon, manager of Napanee’s OSPCA Lennox and Addington Animal Centre. “Kayaking, things like that. It’s whatever people are interested in.”
In one extreme example, OSPCA Brockville Animal Centre manager Marianne Carlyle will be biking from Napanee to Cornwall- a distance of 245 KM-on June 10 to raise awareness for the campaign. Activities can be much less intense and don’t have to be all done in the same day. The fundraiser is intentionally open ended to allow for people of all fitness levels and abilities to be able to take part.
Registration can be done for free at www.SweatForPets.ca and participants can keep their followers up to date on their progress with photos while using the #SweatforPets.
“When it comes to signing up you can do anything you like,” said McCutcheon. “What I was thinking of doing myself was setting a kilometer goal for me and my dog to reach by the end of the campaign.”
The challenge can be done individually or as part of a team with donations made online or in person to the shelter. The goal is to raise a minimum of $5,000 for the shelter.
“Funds raised through this program support all the work we do for the animals in need at the Napanee centre and it really helps animals get a second chance,” added McCutcheon.