Sweet treats keep SPCA in the money

This cat's got the cream (cake) ahead of the SPCA Cupcake Day fundraiser later this month.

Cat, dog, rabbit, butterfly and caterpillar-themed cupcakes will be making their way around Whangarei to raise money for the fight against animal cruelty.

New Zealanders have pledged more than 22,000 cupcakes to the SPCA Cupcake Day fundraiser, some of which will be sold in Whangarei outside the Warehouse and in Cameron St mall on August 25.

Sue McDonald, of the Whangarei SPCA, says they are constantly trying to raise funds.

"We don't get a lot of funding so the money helps pay for the animals in our care," she said.

"There is a lack of food we need to feed the animals sometimes."

Mrs McDonald says cupcakes are a simple yet effective way to raise funds for the cause.

"There's something special about a cupcake," she said.

"They are yummy and delicious and are helping to fight animal cruelty."

Last year's event raised more than $200,000 nationally and the SPCA is hoping for an even better result this year.

"Our SPCA receives virtually no government funding so it relies heavily on fundraising events such as Cupcake Day to continue to provide shelter to an overwhelming number of animals in need of protection," she said.

About 3000 animals are brought into the Whangarei SPCA every year and the service investigates more than 900 animal abuse complaints annually.