Play for Paws: Pickleball Tournament Serves Up Second Annual Fundraiser for Animal Welfare
What's the Score?
The second annual Pickleball 4 Paws event will be held on Saturday, May 31, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Riverside to raise funds for The Animal Shelter Society. This event welcomes both experienced and new pickleball players for a day of friendly competition, with all proceeds going to support the care of shelter animals. Additionally, the shelter will offer discounted microchipping services for pets at $12. If it rains, the event will be moved to the Y. The goal is to not only raise funds but also to increase awareness about pet adoption and the importance of microchipping.
Hit it deeper!
The second annual Pickleball 4 Paws event is set to take place on Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM at a location identified as Riverside. This charitable event brings together pickleball enthusiasts and animal lovers for a day of enjoyable and friendly competition, all in support of a noble cause: raising funds for The Animal Shelter Society. The organizers warmly welcome participants of all skill levels, whether they are seasoned pickleball players or newcomers to the sport. A key aspect of the event is that all the money raised, every dollar of the proceeds, will be directly channelled towards providing care and resources for the animals housed at the shelter.
In addition to the pickleball tournament itself, The Animal Shelter Society will be offering a valuable service to pet owners: microchipping for their pets at a reduced cost. For just $12, pet owners can avail themselves of this permanent form of identification for their animals, which significantly increases the chances of reuniting lost pets with their families. The inspiration behind this discounted microchip service comes from the story of Ms. Liyla, a cat who was adopted from Poland by a military family and was later successfully reunited with them thanks to her microchip. April Gibson, the Executive Director of The Animal Shelter Society, highlighted Ms. Liyla's story, stating, "Ms. Liyla, who was a feline adopted out of Poland by a military family, was reunited with them because of a microchip... In honour of her and her family, we are offering $12 microchips, where they’re normally $25". The shelter currently has over 100 animals in need of loving homes, and events like Pickleball 4 Paws play a crucial role in providing the necessary resources to care for these animals. Looking ahead, the impact of the pickleball event extends beyond mere fundraising. It also serves to elevate public awareness regarding the importance of pet adoption and the significant benefits of microchipping pets. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet some of the adoptable pets currently at the shelter and learn about various ways they can offer support. The shelter hopes that through strong community involvement, they can continue their mission of helping animals find permanent and loving homes. In the event of rain on May 31, the Pickleball 4 Paws event will be relocated to the Y, ensuring that the fundraising efforts can proceed regardless of the weather conditions.
The World Pickleball Verdict
Pickleball 4 Paws exemplifies the positive intersection of sport and community engagement, using the growing popularity of pickleball to support a vital cause: animal welfare. By organizing a fun and inclusive event that welcomes players of all levels, the organizers are effectively leveraging the sport's broad appeal to raise crucial funds for The Animal Shelter Society. The addition of discounted microchipping services adds significant value, directly addressing the issue of lost pets and promoting responsible pet ownership. The inspiring story of Ms. Liyla effectively underscores the importance of microchipping. This event not only provides financial assistance to the shelter but also plays a key role in raising awareness about pet adoption and responsible pet care within the community. Pickleball 4 Paws serves as a commendable model for how sporting events can be used to make a tangible difference in the lives of animals and foster a sense of community spirit around a shared passion for both sports and animal welfare.