Nearly 100 people stopped by the Brant County SPCA during its annual Cupcake Day fundraiser on Monday, February 24, 2025.
The event, which is held every year towards the end of February, allows members of the public to visit the Mohawk Street shelter and pick up a sweet treat in exchange for a donation to the organization.
While many popped in to pick up just one or two cupcakes here and there, a large majority of visitors grabbed a half, or full dozen-sized boxes to bring back and share with their families or coworkers.
Cheyanne Richardson, Campaign Director for the Brant County of SPCA, said that while the event was supposed to run from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., they sold out at the shelter in just two-and-half hours.
“Cupcake Day was a huge success. We sold out of almost 50 dozen cupcakes by 1:30 p.m. which was wild,” she said. “It was just an incredible day of community, and people showing their love for the animals that are at the Brant County SPCA. We’re so grateful to everyone who showed up and supported us.”
Richardson said the event also wouldn’t be possible without the hardworking volunteers who prepared all of the animal themed treats in advance.
“We have a group of incredible volunteers that get together every year and bake all of the cupcakes for us here at the shelter,” she said. “They’ve been volunteering with the SPCA for ages and a lot of them are foster parents as well so we’re very, very grateful for them. We couldn’t do it without them.”
SPCA staff and volunteers weren’t the only animal lovers taking part in the event. Local individuals, various businesses, community groups, schools, seniors homes and even veterinarians were invited to join in on the fun.
Global Pet Foods, Brantford Girls Hockey Association, the Co-Operators, Charlotte Villa Retirement Residence, Beattie Animal Hospital, Best Western, Millards Chartered Professional Accountants, Elements Casino, Enbridge Gas, the Scottlynn Group, Woodman-Cainsville School and Holy Cross School, also hosted their own cupcake parties on, or around, the day.
“It’s really such a community effort and it’s just amazing to have everyone rally around the cause and help us out,” said Richardson. “It means a lot.”
The Campaign Director added that this year’s goal is to raise $30,000 to help provide care for the animals at the shelter, as well as all the animals they support in the community.
“In January alone, there were 53 animals adopted out and over 80 animals that had some form of medical procedure done. So whether it’s something like spay and neuter or some sort of above and beyond surgery like dental work, the vet bills never stop; there’s always going to be animals that need help and support and care,” said Richarson. “…We also have a number of community programs that support our fosters, as well as our Fospice and our Pets for Life programs, so those funds will help with various initiatives and the general needs of our animals.”
She later shared that as of right now, they’ve already raised over $15,000.
“We’re halfway to our goal but parties in the community are still collecting and submitting donations so we won’t have the final total for a couple of weeks,” said Richardson.
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
