The Sault Ste. Marie Humane Society held its 22nd Annual Cause for Paws dog walk at the Roberta Bondar Pavilion Saturday morning.
A large group of local dog owners registered and walked their canine friends from the Pavilion along the city’s boardwalk and back, Saturday’s event marking the second consecutive year Cause for Paws was held at the Pavilion, the event held previously at Kinsmen Park.
Funds raised through dog owners registering for Cause for Paws goes right to veterinary care for animals at the Sault Ste. Marie Humane Society’s shelter, located at 962 Second Line East.
“It (Cause for Paws) started out years ago with pledging, and we still do that, and we now have online pledges as well, but a lot of people now just choose to come and register for the event, so we have a raffle wrapping up today, hoping for some ticket sales from that, and we have vendors as well to make it a bigger event,” said Cindy Ross, Sault Ste. Marie Humane Society manager, speaking to SooToday.
Prizes in the licensed raffle for the event, with tickets at $10 each, included a new 2018 ATV, a new 2018 Seadoo, a new boat with a Yamaha outboard motor and trailer and kegs of beer from Northern Superior Brewing.
Ross said last year’s Cause for Paws, with about 200 dog owners registered, raised approximately $18,000, the Humane Society hoping to reach $20,000 this year.
Donations for veterinary care are always welcome at the Sault Ste. Marie Humane Society.
Ross estimated the shelter adopts out approximately 1,000 animals a year, including dogs, cats and other creatures such as birds, rabbits and hamsters.
“I’ve been doing this for many years. Animals are my life. It’s not just a job for me,” Ross said.