What is the March for the Animals?

The SPCA March for the Animals is a leisurely stroll led by our 2019 March for the Animals chair, Debi Hoover and SPCA Board President Anne Schneiderman. SPCA supporters, volunteers, staff, and fellow animal lovers, along with their pets, join in for a paws-itively good time! 

Sound like a lovely way to spend an October morning?  We think so, and are asking you to join us, and to help raise awareness and much-needed funds for the medical care of the 1,800 animals that we take in each and every year.

The easy walk, a little less than one mile, on the paved path of the F. R. Newman Arboretum at the Cornell Botanic Gardens makes for a perfect walking surface for everyone.  

Following the walk is a delicious sandwich and salads buffet lunch provided by Cornell Catering. 

The attractive and well-made March for the Animals t-shirt and tote bag with goodies donated by Ithaca Grain and Pet Supply AND printed with environmentally-friendly inks complete the take-home swag. 

What is needed to make this picture perfect is YOU!   Your leashed dog is MOST WELCOME to attend. In fact, the more dogs (and the occasional cat in a stroller or guinea pig in a basket) we have, the merrier!

How does it work?

The March for the Animals is the most important SPCA fundraiser of the year. 

We rely on the money raised to take care of our animals. You asking your friends for their help to meet your personally-set fundraising goal is what makes the March for the Animals a success each year.  Don't be shy when asking friends, coworkers and family for support! Gifts of any size help, and indeed, add up to support our goal.  

All of this helps the homeless animals of Tompkins County.

Think of it like this: If 118 marchers asked 18 friends for $18 (in honor of our 118 years saving animals) our fundraising total adds up FAST.   It totals $38,232 in fact! AND if each of your 18 friends gave more than $18 think how great that would be!  

Can we count on you (and members of your family) to be one of the 118 marchers?

What does my fundraising support?

ALL of the funds raised help with medical costs and care for SPCA fur-babies. Whether cat, dog, puppy, kitten, ferret, bunny rabbit, gerbil, guinea pig we provide the medical care they need to find their forever homes. That is just what we are here to do.  Help animals.

No matter how many friends you ask, individual participants and adult members of fundraising teams should attempt with all their heart and soul to raise the individual minimum of $100.00 (in addition to your registration fee)  and youth marchers should attempt with all their youthful enthusiasm to raise $50 to really help the SPCA of Tompkins County animals.

This year, of all years, we want to exceed our $75,000 goal as we celebrate 118 years of saving animals in Tompkins County.

Check out our photo album of past fun!

We hope to see YOU, your family, your friends, and your fur-pals there - just check out these photos from the 2018 March for the Animals! 

So, what's next?

Click on the REGISTER button at the top to sign up. Your registration fee covers your 2019 March for the Animals t-shirt with environmentally-friendly inks, your cool canvas tote bag (all printed right here in Ithaca), professional photos taken by the talented Rachel Philipson you can order after the event, and your catered picnic lunch hosted by Cornell Catering. 

Create a team of friends with a fun team name to generate even greater enthusiasm for your fundraising efforts. OR fund raise as your own tour de force! The sky's the limit!

VIRTUAL MARCHERS: If you can't attend the March in person, that's okay!  We have a loyal group of "Virtual Marchers" who raise funds for the SPCA online.  If you will be out of town, or live out of town this is the registration type for you! Also, Virtual Marchers do not pay the registration fee that covers the buffet lunch, t-shirt and tote bag.

Stay tuned for emails from SPCA staff

We will be in touch with you by email all throughout the fundraising period leading up to the March to give you guidance and answer any questions you may have.

In the meantime, mark your calendars for Sunday, October 6 at the F.R. Newman Arboretum at the Cornell Botanic Gardens. 

10:30 check-in, welcome remarks at 11:00, and the walk begins at 11:15 followed by the buffet lunch.

We're so excited to have you join us, we just want to roll in the grass.

Start your registration today!