Doggie Dash 2026 Reaches Record-Breaking Fundraising Total
The third annual LAWS Doggie Dash, held on Sunday, June 14, proved that a little rain is no match for a determined community of animal lovers.
With steady rainfall throughout the day, attendance looked a little different than originally imagined. Yet participants, sponsors, volunteers, vendors, performers, and supporters still arrived with rain jackets, umbrellas, and plenty of enthusiasm. Thanks to that collective effort, Doggie Dash 2026 raised an incredible $24,000, making it our most successful Doggie Dash to date.
“Doggie Dash is about more than a fundraising total. Even with the weather, our community showed up with generosity, enthusiasm, and an unwavering commitment to animals in need,” says Lyndsay Lisson-De Ell, Director of Operations at LAWS. “That support allows us to continue saying ‘yes’ to the animals who need time, care, and a second chance.” In just three years, Doggie Dash has grown into much more than a fundraising walk. It has become a celebration of the special bond we share with animals and of the people who help make our work possible.
This year’s event brought the community together in Isabel Morris Park for a day filled with music, activities, and four-legged companionship. With the weather requiring some flexibility, walk leader Betty Baker took the reins as Doggie Dash routes were consolidated to better accommodate the conditions. Live music from Caitlin O’Connor and The Detention Club kept spirits high, while families enjoyed a visit from Sparky the Fire Dog and the Selwyn Fire Department crew, face painting, creative activities from KidzFirst Ptbo, and a vibrant collection of vendors and community partners.
For LAWS, fundraisers like Doggie Dash have a direct and meaningful impact. As a small, non-profit shelter that receives no government funding, we rely on community support to continue providing individualized care to animals who often have complex needs. The funds raised through peer-to-peer fundraising, sponsorships, silent auction purchases, and community donations help support daily care, veterinary treatment, behavioural support, enrichment, and adoption services for the animals in our care.
Behind the scenes, Doggie Dash was organized by a small team of staff and dedicated volunteers whose months of planning helped bring the event to life. The generosity of our sponsors also played a tremendous role in making the day possible. We are deeply grateful to community supporters including Martha Gauthier, Realtor; Connor Windows, Doors and Sunrooms; LLF Lawyers; Jordan Lyall Photography; and Fox Law, along with the many businesses and individuals who donated prizes and contributed their support. We were thrilled to offer 43 silent auction items for guests to bid on throughout the day, and grateful to K9 Raw for donating their Crunchies treats, which quickly became a favourite stop at our Treat Tables.
We also loved seeing some familiar four-legged faces in attendance, including Barney, one of our adoptable young dogs. Barney spent the day practicing his leash skills, meeting people and dogs, and soaking in all the excitement. He even sat for a caricature by Polina from Toronto Caricature Artists. We are especially happy to share that Barney met his adopter that very day.
Moments like these are a reminder that Doggie Dash is about more than a fundraising total. It is about creating opportunities for animals to heal, for families to connect, and for a community to come together around compassion. To everyone who walked, donated, volunteered, performed, sponsored shared, and cheered us on from the sidelines: thank you for helping make Doggie Dash 2026 an unforgettable success.
THANK YOU, SPONSORS & SUPPORTERS!
Prize Sponsors: Adventure Outfitters | Art Gallery of Ontario | Asta’s Hairstyling School | BiteKind | Bridgenorth Home Hardware | Champlain Animal Hospital | Chemong Property Maintenance & Management and Kathy Koster, Realtor | Darling Insurance | D.M. Wills Associates Ltd. | Flow Spa | Flynn’s General Store & Gas | Habitat for Humanity Peterborough | Katchiwano Golf Club | Omemee Veterinary Hospital | Otonabee River Craft Co. | Paus-N-Train Agility & Obedience Inc. | Peterborough Appliances | Pizza Alloro | Pogue Farms | Ptbo Pet & Home Minders | PTBO Pilates | Robertson K9 Massage | Shining Waters Chiropractic | Sugar’d Bare | Sweet Fern Floral Studio | Terra Firm Construction | The Boardwalk Board Game Lounge | The Toy Shop of Peterborough | Two Krafty Chicks | Wanderlight Alpaca Experience | Whetung Ojibwa Centre | Wildfire Golf Club | Windsor’s Dry Cleaning Centre
Vendors & Additional Supporters: Alterna Savings | Chandos Pet Supply | Everwillow Event Rentals | Ghost Taco | Groovy Little Smoothie Co. | K-Dawgz | KidzFirst Ptbo | Lakefield Flowers and Gifts | LóLa Cakes and Coffee | Peterborough Folk Festival | PFW Country Store | The Critter Co.| Tail Trackers Search & Rescue | Toronto Caricature Artists (sponsored by R&J Machine) | Two Krafty Chicks