Adorable kittens and puppies, games and competitions for the whole family, plus delicious cupcakes - what more could you want on a Saturday?

The second ever Tauranga SPCA is being hailed as a huge success by the event's organiser Hannah Cobb who says the number of people who turned out today were well up on last year.

Kaleb Swinney, 3, with his cupcake creation. Photos: Tracy Hardy.

The fun family event at the Greerton animal shelter aims to raise funds for abandoned, abused and neglected animals within the region.

'There's definitely more numbers this year than 2014,” says Hannah. 'It really helps us get the SPCA's profile out there. People know we are down here and can come down at any time to meet the animals for adoption.

'A lot of families have shown up today, the competitions have gone really well, prizes for the kids have also gone down really well, everyone just seems to be having a really good day.”

A range of entertainment was offered up including a bouncy castles, Ferris wheel, face painting, sausage sizzles, an animal petting corner, and of course, cupcake – lots and lots of cupcakes.

Bakers were also encouraged to get in on the act by whipping up their best batch of cupcakes for several Cupcake Baking Competitions.

Three competitions were held this year: one for teens, aged 13-18, one for adults and one exclusively for the SPCA Kids' Club Members, up to age 13.


Kadee Swinney, 4, with her 'Frozen' cupcake creation.

'I think it's been a huge success, it really gets the awareness out there,” adds Hannah. 'Cupcake Day is about raising funds for the animals at the shelter and to help us continue saving animals' lives.”

Tasty cupcakes will be on sale at cupcake stalls throughout the city from August 22-24.

Cupcake stalls are also operating from 10am-2pm at Animates on Second Ave on August 22-23.

On Saturday, August 22, and Monday, August 24, cupcake stalls will operate from 9am-6pm at Bayfair Shopping Centre. A stall at Red Square will operate from 9am-3pm on August 24.

Bakers across the country will also be grabbing their spatulas to fight animal cruelty with cupcakes for National Cupcake Day taking place on Monday, August 24.

For more information about Tauranga SPCA Cupcake Day, contact 07 578 0245 or [email protected] or visit www.spcacupcakeday.co.nz


Isabella Dreadon, 11, with her honey bee cupcakes.

Haylee Hetall, 8, with her cupcakes.

Phoebe Robertson, 12, with her flower garden creation.

Rue Jagger, 6, with her bunny rabbit cupcakes.

Carmenita Philbrick-Cruse, 17, in the teen category.

Judges Peter Blakeway, Kaycee Nicholls, and Crystal Rutherford.

Kristel Saul.

Aleshia Dickson.