$230K raised for Ottawa Humane Society at Wiggle Waggle Walk and Run

The annual Wiggle Waggle Walk and Run raised more than $200k at a crucial time for the Ottawa Humane Society. CTV’s Kimberley Johnson reports.

The Ottawa Humane Society’s biggest fundraiser of the year has brought in hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The Wiggle Waggle Walk and Run in support of the Ottawa Humane Society brought in more than $230,000 on Sunday, with more than 1,400 registrants, according to officials. More than 200 volunteers brought the event together. Participants could sign up for a 10K or 5K run, a 3K walk, the 2K Furry Fun Run and a 1K kids run.

Crossing the 5K finish with her dog Argo, Alana McCulloch-Auld says this is their second year participating. She says it’s fun, but it’s also important.

“I’ve always loved animals and felt very passionately about making sure every animal gets to live their best life full of love and attention and treats and all that good stuff,” she says. “So being able to go for a run that’s dog friendly and also support a cause like that is pretty awesome.”

Ahead of the final total announcement, OHS President Sharon Miko told CTV News Ottawa that the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year is coming in at a critical time.

“It is especially important for us this year, given that we’ve just found out there’s a mail strike, which is going to impact a lot of our fundraising,” she explains. “We’re putting a lot of stock on today to raise a lot of money to help a lot of animals in our care.”

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Last week, the Ottawa Humane Society took in 19 kittens that were found in a box at Riverview Park Tuesday night. In all that day, 42 cats were admitted to the Ottawa Humane Society.

Miko says the Ottawa Humane Society can have anywhere between 400 and 500 animals in their care at any one time.

“Never more in our community in Ottawa has our community needed us as much,” she says of the work. “We’ve got clients reaching out for food for their pets. We’ve got clients reaching out because they can afford veterinary care. Our goal is to be there, to be able to grow the supports that we are providing to our community so that pets can stay in homes where they’re loved.”

That growing need has Scott Poll and his nine-year-old dog Ollie joining the run.

“There’s so many rescues now since the end of Covid. People have been returning their animals to the humane society,” he explains. “So, there’s a real need. And we just want to support the cause and have a lot of fun at the same time.”

The Ottawa Humane Society says they are continuing to secure donations, and anyone interested can do so online.