Hundreds of Dogs Dive into Kitchener’s Dash and Splash Fundraiser

Hundreds of dogs took to the water on March 10, 2024, for the annual Dash and Splash event at the Kiwanis Park pool in Kitchener, Ontario. Organized by the Humane Society of Kitchener Waterloo & Stratford Perth, the event not only provided a thrilling day for canines but also aimed to raise significant funds for the society’s ongoing programs and resources.

Victoria Baby, CEO of the Humane Society, highlighted the importance of fundraising during the event. “Fundraising is really important to us because all of our humane work is funded by donors and donations,” she stated. “We’re not funded by the government to do a lot of our work. So, something like this is a win-win. You have animal owners and the dogs having a blast while contributing to the operation of our humane society.”

The event has consistently proven successful, and this year, the organization anticipates raising around $40,000 through ticket sales and prior fundraising efforts. Baby noted, “It grows every year, and we’re very fortunate to have the support allowing us to use this beautiful Kiwanis pool for our animals to have a lot of fun.”

Community Engagement and Canine Fun

Among the many participants was Melody Lee, who attended the event with her two dogs for the first time. “Both our dogs love to swim, and we thought it’d be really fun for them,” she said. Lee expressed her appreciation for the Humane Society, emphasizing the dual purpose of the event: enjoyment for the dogs and support for a worthy cause. “It’s just something special just for your dogs,” she added, encouraging other pet owners to participate in future events.

The event also attracted local celebrities, including Waldo the Wonder Dog, a popular figure on social media. His owner, Jess Parker, shared her journey of healing following an injury, stating, “The last time you might have seen me, my leg was very broken, and this amazing corgi here, Waldo, rescued me.” Parker recently published a children’s book about her dog’s heroics, and she connected her book launch with the Dash and Splash event to benefit the Humane Society. “When we knew Dash and Splash was coming back this year, we thought, ‘let’s partner with the Humane Society.’ We’re giving back 10 percent of the book sales moving forward to the Humane Society,” she explained.

Another participant, Anjali Sadawarte, brought her five-year-old dog, Aleena, to enjoy the pool. “There are no pools for dogs actually here in Waterloo Region,” Sadawarte remarked. “So, this is something that we can do for them. It’s the last day of summer, and I wanted her to experience other dogs and have some new friends.”

The event serves not only as a delightful day for dogs and their owners but also as a vital fundraising opportunity for the Humane Society, ensuring they can continue their important work in the community. As summer winds down, the Dash and Splash event remains a highlight for dog lovers in the region, combining fun with philanthropy.