Resident animal lovers stopped by the Brant County SPCA during its annual Cupcake Day fundraiser on Monday, February 23, 2026.
The local SPCA hosts the event at the end of February every year, and for a minimum $2.00 donation, guests get to walk away from the shelter with a complimentary cupcake.
While many popped in to pick up just one or two sweet treats 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. Though the event was supposed to run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the shelter had already sold out by 1:30 p.m.
Nadine Dwinnell, director of animal care and operations for the Brant County of SPCA, said the fundraiser is always a great way for community members to give back.
“It’s just a great, fun way to get the community involved in what we do here,” she said. “Not everybody’s comfortable, or has the time to come in and volunteer, so this gives us a way to reach out to our community and have them support us in a different way.”
Local individuals, various businesses, community groups, schools, seniors homes and even veterinarians were also invited to join in on the fun.
Cake and Crumb, Beatie Animal Hospital, Global Pet Foods, Sifton Brier Park, the Brantford Ice Cats, McNaughton Agency Inc. and the Zehrs on King George Road, were just a few of the community partners who put on their own events to help support the SPCA.
“There’s some local parties going on as well at different businesses and people’s homes, so we’re really looking forward to seeing what was raised in the end,” said Dwinnell.
This year’s fundraising goal is to raise $30,000 to help provide care for the animals at the shelter, as well as all the animals the SPCA supports in the community.
“The funds from this event will go towards everything we do,” said Dwinnell. “So everything from providing medications and vaccines to spay and neuter services, the day-to-day husbandry and the feeding of the animals that are in our care. They’ll also help support many of the programs we run such as the foster care program, our Project Patchwork, the H.O.P.E. boarding program and our adoption facilities.”
“We don’t receive any government funding, so we really rely on donations and grants,” she continued. “These days, as I’m sure most people are aware, fundraising is challenging for all charities and so every bit that we can raise and put towards the animals in our care, is essential in what we do.”
While the team at the SPCA hasn’t finished tallying its grand total just yet, as of Tuesday, March 24, the running total currently stands at $12,409.10.
In an email to the Brant Beacon, Logan Stengel, director of fundraising and resource development for the SPCA, said they’re expecting to end up with around $20,000.
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.
