Get ready to [pool] paw-ty! 🐾
Calling all swimming pups: Pooch Plunge returns for its third annual, much anticipated dog swim on September 7, 2024 in Burlington, Ontario. The largest fundraising event of the year for the Burlington Humane Society (BHS), it’s the best Summer ‘paw-ty’ for dogs and their humans.
My heart dog, a golden retriever named Casey, loved to swim. In his final sunset years, nothing made him happier or eased his senior body more (especially in pools!). I approached the shelter and City to create a dog-specific swim, not just to give Casey one last swim, but for as many pups as possible to experience the love, benefits and excitement of swimming, all while spending time with their families making memories together. Pooch Plunge was born in 2022, and Casey was able to get his last swim before passing that following March.
Near and dear to my heart as a founding event organizer, lead sponsor and photographer, I’m already counting down the days until one of the truly most magical, heartwarming events of the year. Happy tail-wagging pups having the time of their lives and their smiling, laughing families raising money to help raise funds for other animals in need (we’ve found our two cats at the shelter!) - it doesn’t get better than this!
Once the last public swim has taken place for the Summer, chlorine is dropped to dog-friendly levels and pups are invited in to have the last off-leash swim to mark the end of the season. Some splash and wade in through the beach-entry, while others jump off in the deep end. Safety is top of mind, with City of Burlington lifeguards giving their time along with shelter volunteers monitoring onsite. Meanwhile, in the splash pad area (where dogs must remain leashed) there are a variety of local dog vendors to browse all afternoon.
I’ll be there of course with my camera, capturing all the fun and providing a complimentary image of as many pups as possible.
It’s guaranteed to be a fun-filled, memorable afternoon - be sure to register in advance before time slots reach maximum capacity.
Can’t wait to see you and your furry best friend there, be sure to come over to say hi!
Let’s let the dogs out, Victoria
All The Details
Saturday, September 7, 2024
(swims take place rain or shine)
City of Burlington’s Nelson Pool - 4235 New Street, Burlington, Ontario
Small Dog (under 25lbs) Swim:
1:00 pm - 1:45 pm
All Sized Dog Swims:
2:00 pm - 2:45 pm
3:00 pm - 3:45 pm
4:00 pm - 4:45 pm
Splash Pad on-leash area features a variety of local dog vendors to browse
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
$25 for first dog, $10 for each additional dog in the same booking
Interested in being a vendor onsite? E-mail Rachel,
Events Manager at Burlington Humane Society for details.
For full event rules and regulations, please visit: https://burlingtonhumane.ca/pooch-plunge/
Only dogs are permitted in the water (not humans). Handlers are responsible for their dogs at all times.
In memory of Casey,
2009-2023