Humane society walkathon this Sunday a chance to donate, volunteer or adopt a pet

If you have a dog, hope to adopt a dog or just want to be around a dog, the Brandon Humane Society has an open invitation for its signature fundraising event set for Sunday morning.

Running from 10 a.m. until noon, the annual Wag-A-Tail Walk-A-Thon takes place in Kin Park at First Street and Aberdeen Avenue.

Two routes are mapped out — one that’s two kilometres and another that’s a bit shorter, said humane society shelter manager Tracy Munn, who added that taking part in the walk is optional.

“It’s a walkathon, but if you can’t bring your dog or maybe you don’t even have one, just come and visit and see all the different kinds of dogs people have,” Munn said.

“Dog owners will be showing off their furry friends and socializing them with other dogs.”

The morning starts with registration, breakfast sandwiches provided by Wendy’s and coffee and Timbits courtesy of Tim Hortons. At the end of the event, there’s a free barbecue.

“All you have to do is love animals and want to support the humane society to help make a difference, meet people and maybe decide to be a volunteer,” Munn said.

“But this is our big annual fundraiser, so we hope people will make a small donation and perhaps adopt a dog.”

There will be at least 20 dogs on site ready to be adopted, Munn said. Cats won’t be making the trip to the park, but there are more than 30 felines at the shelter that — like the dogs — have had the necessary vaccines, passed their incubation period and are fit for their “fur-ever” homes.

Shelter dogs make especially great pets because they have been socialized and trained by staff and volunteers, often from puppyhood.

Sunday will be the humane society’s 22nd annual walkathon, which raises between $38,000 and $42,000 each year — funds that come from pledged donations received by walkers.

Munn said her dream goal would be to reach $50,000 one year, because the operating costs of the shelter are astronomical.

“Our vet bill last year was $75,000 and our water is $25,000 a year for sewer and septic, so there’s a hundred grand,” Munn said.

“We have very minimal staff. Only two of us are full-time and we have a few part-time people who work three or four hours a week. And we need people who can give medication — those things are very important. Our amazing volunteers are the reason we can run with less staff,” she said.

“So, it costs a lot of money to run a shelter. We’re over $300,000 a year, but everything goes to our animals.”

The Sun spoke with Munn as she sat in the parking lot of the Brandon Hills Veterinary Clinic, which is one of the sponsors of the walkathon along with The Paw Veterinary Services.

Munn was waiting to take a 10-year-old dog in for a suspected bladder infection.

“I love animals,” Munn said.

“They are a gift and give so much back. I’ve seen the change they bring about in people, especially those who have had severe mental health issues.

“Even our wonderful soldiers who come back with post-traumatic stress disorder, dogs and cats have been the best medicine. They give so much, and they ask for nothing back,” she said.

“That’s why it breaks my heart when we see the horrible things some people do to animals. And that’s why I love what I do.”

Working inside the Brandon Hills Veterinary Clinic was registered veterinary technician Sheila Lobreau, who said she has respect for Munn and her team.

“Every week they bring us some pets to vaccinate and take care of, and they’re always in very good shape and you can tell they have been fed really good food,” said Lobreau.

“They’ve been part of the Brandon Hills vet clinic for many, many years, and we give them breaks on quite a few things,” she said.

“Tracy and I have developed a pretty good rapport, and I just love the work that she and the gang do, so I try to support them as much as I can.”

Having the humane society in Brandon is vital, added Lobreau. The shelter saves four-footed lives, but more people need to be aware of the costs associated with ownership.

“Unfortunately, people think that having a dog or a cat is free, and every day we see people coming in who can’t afford their bills, so without a humane society or the rescue societies that we have, I’m afraid the city would be overrun with cats and dogs and no control,” she said.

The humane society is a non-kill shelter and offers a temporary home for about 85 dogs and cats at both the shelter site and through volunteer foster care homes.

After the 10-year-old dog’s appointment, Munn made her way back to the shelter to check on any last-minute changes to Sunday’s walkathon.

One of the biggest tasks was securing sponsors, yet Munn said it was the most fun.

“These are good businesses because they know the need and the importance of the shelter in our community and put their money where their mouth is,” she said.

“And that is huge for us, because we couldn’t do it without all our sponsors or our volunteers.”

There will be six Brandon Wheat Kings at Kin Park on Sunday, helping with the barbecue and available for photos and autographs. Jaxon Jacobson, Jordan Gavin, Joby Baumuller, Merrek Arpin, Easton Odut and Nick Johnson are scheduled to be on site for the full two hours.

For more information about the Wag-A-Tail Walk-A-Thon, call the Brandon Humane Society at 204-728-1331.

» mmcdougall@brandonsun.com

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