Bake cupcakes for K-W Humane Society

KITCHENER — The Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society is asking people to bake a difference in the lives of animals at the shelter.

For National Cupcake Day on Monday, Feb. 27, people are being invited to sell their homemade cupcakes at work or school to benefit the Kitchener shelter.

It’s a Canada-wide campaign held every year in support of humane societies.

“It’s one of our biggest fundraisers of the year,” said Laura Sparks, director of community engagement.

Last year, more than 500 individuals and organizations participated locally in cupcake day to raise $30,000.

“It’s to help our homeless, abused and neglected animals,” Sparks said.

Just housing and feeding an animal at the shelter costs $15 a day, not including specialized medical care.

The humane society is also hosting a pop-up cocktail party on March 23, a new and more casual event than its usual formal gala.

The evening event will include food, cocktails and a silent auction at Colour Paradise Greenhouses in Mannheim.

Tickets are $75 a person. Register for cupcake day or buy tickets for the cocktail party at hwhumane.com.

A new executive director started two weeks ago. Mary D’Alton, former president of the Waterloo Inn, replaces Jack Kinch.

“We’re excited to move forward with a new (executive director),” Sparks said.

Along with preparing for the fundraisers, shelter staff are readying for kitten season, which is the annual influx of kittens that starts in April.

“Right now, we’re just gearing up and planning for that,” Sparks said.

That includes contacting foster families and gathering supplies, in particular milk replacement.

Every day, though, the humane society takes in new animals.