Baking a Difference

In a bittersweet twist of fate, I received the official press release announcing the start of the BC SPCA’s annual National Cupcake Day fundraising campaign in my inbox today—the very day my beloved rescue pup, Wally, would have been 13 years old.

Every year, in honour of his birthday, I would bake Wally a batch of "pupcakes," with good-for-dogs ingredients like pumpkin purée and grated carrots and topped with salmon cream cheese frosting (and a bone-shaped biscuit, of course). Needless to say, he loved them and, in my mind, would have relished them even more had they helped support other animals waiting for their forever homes.

Wally was lucky: he was adopted and lived 11 years with a family (mine) that loved and cared for him with all their hearts. Other animals, including dogs, cats, bunnies, guinea pigs, hamsters and rats, are currently waiting at SPCA shelters across B.C., Ontario and the rest of the country for a similar stroke of luck. A simple way for all of us to help make a difference in their lives now is by baking cupcakes, of the pup or human variety, and giving them away in exchange for a donation. This year, National Cupcake Day falls on Monday, February 26, but animal lovers and bakers are encouraged to fundraise throughout January and February.

To sweeten the pot (or, as it were, muffin tin), participants who register online before Wednesday, January 31, and raise $50 will be entered in a draw to win a KitchenAid Stand Mixer—the perfect tool for whipping up delicious cupcakes and frosting. The BC SPCA will use all funds raised to find homes for surrendered, rescued, neglected or abused animals, and provide emergency care to injured animals.

Visit nationalcupcakeday.ca to register, bake and donate. —Noa Nichol (and Wally)