The 27th annual Wiggle Waggle Walk & Run returned to SoCal on Sunday to raise money for the Pasadena Humane Society.
According to humane society officials, $350,904.96 was raised before the event even started.
Nearly 2,000 people signed up for this year’s walk and run – the largest event put on by Pasadena Humane each year – which includes a dog training park, an award contest and of course, the option to walk or run with your dog at Brookside Park next to the Rose Bowl.
KTLA 5’s Wendy Burch was live in Pasadena for the festivities on Sunday morning, where she spoke with event organizers and Murphy Brown, one of the four-legged participants.
This year’s event is particularly important due to the devastating January wildfires that caused shelters throughout the area – including Pasadena Humane – to be flooded with animals, some of which were hurt.
“We took in a lot of animals during the fires, and unfortunately, we still have about 140 animals that we are caring for for people who lost their homes,” said Kevin McManus, PR and Communications Director for Pasadena Humane. “We did see a lot of injured animals come through…it was an unprecedented event for us and Southern California, so we are still recovering from that.”
“It does make today a little bit more important for us,” McManus added.
Donations to the humane society can be made at any time by visiting www.wigglewagglewalk.org.
Participants are encouraged to visit the KTLA 5 photo booth during the Wiggle Waggle Walk & Run to snap a pic with their dog.
