About 70 people and their dogs turned out for the SPCA Paws for a Cause walk at the Parksville Community Park on Sunday and they took some steps to help all animals in the community.
A whopping $8,800 was raised by animal lovers at the Parksville walk and organizers are thrilled with the results.
Sabrina Qureshi, the community council chair with Parksville branch of the B.C. SPCA, said the people who brought their furry friends to the event did an amazing job of fundraising for abused, injured, neglected and homeless animals.
"The turnout was absolutely fabulous. Our fundraising total is much better than we have done in four or five years," she said.
The top fundraiser this year was Margaret Lonsdale, who raised $3,049. The top youth fundraiser was Nicolai Kiraly who raised $305.The top team was BMO Bank of Montreal, which generated $1300 for the cause.
This year, participants in 34 B.C. communities joined the B.C. SPCA's largest fundraiser.
The folks who brought their furry friends to Parksville Community Park on Sunday had a doggone good time playing games like musical sits and bobbing for wieners.
Parksville-Qualicum MLA Michelle Stilwell, who cut the official ribbon for the walk, brought her pooch Ruby along.
She told the animal lovers on hand that the work the SPCA does is important and thanked everyone who raised much-needed funds for the organization.
"We need to protect our four-legged friends because they are a part of our families," she said.
Nadine Durante, branch manager of the Parksville SPCA, thanked all of the people who have opened their hearts and doors to SPCA pets.