Wiggle Waggle Walk Works!
As a non-profit, community-run organization, Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter (FAAS) has a number of key objectives. Our annual Wiggle Waggle Walk – named best Canine Sporting Event by Bay Woofʼs readers in 2014 – enables us to meet several of those objectives at the same time.
When the City of Alameda transferred responsibility for the shelter to FAAS in January 2012, we found ourselves responsible for raising funds to cover more than half of the amount the city had been spending to run the shelter. We knew we needed to create several fundraisers to help us toward that goal.
But our mission is broader than providing shelter for homeless animals. We are also focused on improving the lives of all companion animals in our community by educating the public about best pet care practices. Among the most important of those is providing proper exercise for dogs to maintain healthy weight, cardiovascular health and muscle mass. Why not create a fund-raiser thatʼs also an educational event and a fun way to exercise with your dog?Our first Wiggle Waggle Walk on June 3, 2012 was a huge success. The perfect weather allowed more than 100 dogs and approximately 200 people to enjoy a one-mile walk along the Oakland-Alameda estuary on the site of Wind River, a software developer in Alameda that graciously allowed us to use its grounds for the event.The event also featured a doggie fashion show, doggie dance, a doggie-human look-alike contests and lots more. Participants visited booths providing animal health products and services, along with booths providing human food and drink. We raised almost $9,000 that first year from sponsorships, pledges and entry fees, so we knew we had hit on a great formula.The Wiggle Waggle Walk has grown bigger and better in each of the last four years. This yearʼs event was held on Sunday, June 28 at Crown Beach Memorial Park on the scenic shore of the San Francisco Bay. More than 250 dogs and their owners helped us to raise $15,000.We have expanded the walk to include the option of a 2-mile as well as 1-mile walk along the shoreline, led by our famous FAAS alumni “Bentley,” a wire-haired terrier who has won the heart of the whole community.Activities after the walk included dog-human competitions and canine contests for best trick and best costume. A canine fashion show, cake walk (with dog bones), canine-human crafts, and canine massage were also a part of the fun. One special animal was awarded 2015 “Best in Show.” A barbecue meal and other refreshments were on sale to human participants while the musical group Wicked Lobstah played acoustic classic rock.In addition to meeting our objectives of raising funds and encouraging dog walking to promote health and fitness, a high profile event like the Wiggle Waggle Walk also meets our objective of raising community awareness about FAAS and its commitment to animals. Several major companies stepped up to sponsor the event, including Yelp and Kaiser Permanente, in addition to 20 local businesses including Providence Veterinary Hospital, Kelly Lux State Farm Insurance, Urban Island Home Furnishings, and Lemon Tree, each contributing over $1,000 to help the cause. Christina Balogh-Nunes won the grand prize for top individual fundraiser. Both community newspapers ran stories about the event and many folks enjoying the day at the beach had a chance to see how much fun we were having at the event. All this raises the profile of our organization and the work we are doing in the community.Raising funds, promoting animal health and increasing community awareness are all important objectives for any community-operated animal welfare organization. We are pleased to achieve all three objectives in a single event which creates so much fun for so many people and pets. Wiggle Waggle Walk is quite a trifecta – and it win the hearts of Bay Woof readers as well.