INNOVATE - Fundraiser Features Dogs Doing Ballet

The Birmingham Ballet stages a unique fundraiser every Christmas for their local Humane Society - the Mutt-cracker.

This year, the fifth edition, incorporated 29 dogs into a unique interpretation of the traditional Christmas ballet, the Nutcracker.

Like human dancers, the dogs must audition for their roles and practice their choreography diligently once they are cast.

A dog trainer is the wings for every show and works with the dogs throughout rehearsals.

For two years now, a three-year-old dog named Pig, who has short-spine syndrome, has been the star of the show performing pirouettes with the Sugar Plum Fairy.

The Birmingham company isn’t the only ballet that’s gone to the dogs.

In 2014 the Sacramento Ballet partnered with Front Street Animal Shelter and featured at least one adoptable dog in 13 different Nutcracker performances.

“We’re going to be exposing our animals to an entirely different demographic,” Front Street manager Gina Knepp, told the Sacramento Bee. “I would venture to guess that many folks in these audiences might go to a breeder to find a pet. Hopefully, we’ll open their eyes to the incredible dogs we have at Front Street.”

Their adoption goal seems to have been successful with a Petcha.com blog reporting 40 adoptions through just a portion of the Nutcracker run.

With the Birmingham Ballet’s performances growing in popularity and featuring 17 dogs its first year and 29 this year, and the adoptions resulting from the Sacramento event, ballet has definitely had a positive impact on some shelter animals.

Pets Plus Us Talks National Cupcake Day

With National Cupcake Day just two weeks from today, fundraising is well underway across the country. Individuals and businesses have been hosting cupcake sales for their local humane societies and SPCAs. 

Sponsors are an integral part of any fundraising event. Pets Plus Us, Gold Sponsor of National Cupcake Day, is a great example of the value of corporate support.

Randy Valpy & Bruin

This week on the Ontario SPCA's Animals' Voice podcast, Randy Valpy, 'Top Dog' at Pets Plus Us, shares why the company got involved with event and how they plan to celebrate it in their office. 

Listen to the podcast!

It's not too late to register, start baking and raise funds to support homeless, abused and injured animals. There are even great fundraising prizes for the top individual, community team and corporate team.

Bissell and Puppy Bowl Help Animals in Shelters/Foster Care

It’s become a Super Bowl Sunday tradition and 2016 is no exception. Puppy Bowl XII, which promotes pet adoption, is set to air on Animal Planet this Sunday February 7th.

This year, Puppy Bowl teamed up with 44 animal shelter and rescue organizations to fill the rosters of #TeamRuff and #TeamFluff with adoptable dogs. The network also is partnering with the Pro Football Hall of Fame to introduce the Puppy Bowl Hall of Fame to honor legacy players throughout the show and promote the adoption of older "veteran" animals in addition to puppies and kittens.

The Kitty Half-Time Show brings a cat-astrophic San Francisco inspired kitten takeover to the Bay Area. These ferocious felines are on a spree of cat-aclismic destruction as they paw across historic landmarks including the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf and infamous "Al-Cat-Raz."

Bissell, a long time Puppy Bowl sponsor, is giving an extra dose of adorable to Puppy Bowl viewers on PetHappens.com. Starting at 3 p.m. ET, 10 rescue puppies will be released into an all-white room. Live viewers will be encouraged to tweet or post on Instagram with #PetHappens. Their posts will unlock a series of different messes into the room with the pups.

When all of the messes have been unleashed and the puppies are ready for a nap, Bissell will clean the space and restore it to its original sparkling white condition. Each use of #PetHappens between now and March 31 will trigger a $5 donation (up to $100,000) to the Bissell Pet Foundation to support animals in shelters and foster care.

4th Annual National Cupcake Day

It's become an award-winning and successful fundraising event across Canada. This year, National Cupcake Day is February 29th.

Spearheaded by the BCSPCA and Ontario SPCA, the event raises funds to support homeless, abused and injured animals in Canadian humane societies and SPCAs by encouraging participants to bake cupcakes for others in exchange for a donation. 



“What I love about Cupcake Day is that it’s so easy to get involved,” says BCSPCA National Cupcake Day spokesperson and self-proclaimed bungling baker, Kristina Matisic. “Cupcakes are pretty simple to bake. Trust me, if I can pull it off, anyone can.”

Participants who register before January 31st and raise $50 will be automatically entered to win a KitchenAid Stand Mixer. Registration is free and can be accessed HERE.

National Cupcake Day 2015 took place February 23rd and included 106 participating animal welfare organizations from across the country who raised $550,000.

Petland Canada partners with Team Toby and the PAWS Across Canada Tour

Petland Canada announced today is its new partnership with Team Toby and the Paws Across Canada Tour. 

Toby, a rescue Chesapeake Bay Retriever, is making his way across the country to build a kinder Canada one paw, one person at a time. Through its partnership with Team Toby, Petland Canada will offer Toby's three award-winning books and Twoonie for Toby stickers for purchase at select stores. Petland will also host a meet and greet event at its Manning location. 

"Team Toby is delighted to have Petland Canada as a partner," says Charmaine Hammond, a professional speaker and best selling author of the Toby book series. "Petland's mission is a great fit for our tour and together we can make a positive difference in the world - for pets and their human family members." 

Funds raised through the sale of Team Toby merchandise will support Toby's children's books in local stores and the Orange Dog Foundation's rescue project. 

For more information, CLICK HERE.