Lakefield-Based Instagram Sensation Owen The Griff Raises $20,660 For Our Pet Project Campaign
/Lakefield-based Instagram sensation, Owen the Griff, has raised $20,660 for Our Pet Project, the campaign to build the new Peterborough Animal Care Centre, through a recent crowdfunding campaign.
Owen and his parents, Lisa Besseling and Marlon Hazlewood, have been longtime supporters of the Peterborough Humane Society, and particularly the Our Pet Project campaign. Owen launched his crowdfunding campaign late in October and encouraged his nearly 110,000 Instagram followers to help him raise $10,000 for his Owen’s Pet Project campaign.
Photo courtesy Peterborough Humane Society
On American Thanksgiving, one of Owen’s American friends, Omar, inspired an anonymous donor to match all donations 3:1. This encouraged several other animal lovers to donate, including Cathy Mann & Associates' Fundraising Lab, who pledged to match all December donations up to $2,500.
With Owen’s fundraising campaign having such a snowball effect, Lisa and Marlon raised his fundraising goal to $20,000 and pledged to donate 100 percent of his Holiday Cameo proceeds towards his efforts. The Cameo app lets fans book a personalised video shout-out from their favourite celebrities, which is then emailed directly to a friend or family member. Well-known Canadian singer-songwriter Jann Arden is a huge animal lover and one of Owen’s loyal fans and was inspired to also donate $1,000 of her Holiday Cameo proceeds towards Owen’s Pet Project.
Photo courtesy Peterborough Humane Society
Lisa and Marlon are particularly excited about the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society Provincial Dog Rehabilitation Centre, which will be part of the new Peterborough Animal Care Centre.
The Dog Rehab Centre will be a Canadian first and will mainly focus on behavioural rehabilitation for dogs who have suffered abuse, neglect or who need extra care before being ready for adoption. Physiotherapy will also be offered to animals that need it in the pool and aqua treadmill.
“As Owen gets older, it is good to know that there is a facility that can help senior animals like him live life to the fullest,” says Lisa. “The new Centre will be game-changer for animal welfare in Ontario and will put Peterborough and the Kawarthas on the map through the services it will offer, and we are excited to be a part of that.”
Owen posted on his Instagram channel thanks to his fans…
Owen and his parents are particularly excited about the potential of the regional Dog Rehab Centre at the new PHS, which will be a Canadian first.
