Riders at the ready before the Ruff Ride 2025 started.

By Sydney Alexandra, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Engines rumbled, tails wagged, and laughter filled the air as dozens of motorcyclists gathered on Sunday, September 21, 2025, for the Burlington Humane Society’s 17th annual Ruff Ride. For nearly two decades, this unique fundraiser has blended the thrill of the open road with the heart of community giving, proving that compassion for animals can take many forms.

The Ruff Ride has become a signature event for the Humane Society, drawing bikers from across the region who come together not only to ride, but to raise vital funds for the shelter. This year’s edition was particularly special as members of the Southern Cruisers Riding Club, Chapter 57, Burlington, joined to lead small groups of riders along a scenic two-hour route through northern Burlington. When the journey ended, riders would be welcomed back with the aroma of a sizzling BBQ, courtesy of the Burlington Humane Society.

For Doug Shirton, executive director of the Burlington Humane Society, events like Ruff Ride are a lifeline. “We rely 100% on donations,” Shirton explained. “We don’t get any government funding — federal, provincial, or municipal. Everything depends on the generosity of the community.” 

That generosity sustains not only the shelter’s daily operations but also the countless stories of hope that unfold inside its walls. Shirton spoke with visible pride about the shelter’s adoption bell: a tradition that symbolizes new beginnings for everyone. 

“We celebrate our animal adoptions when they get their own forever home. We ring an adoption bell, and staff and volunteers come forward to congratulate the new owners. Oftentimes, people are in tears just because animals are so special and such a source of companionship. Especially today, when people feel more isolated.”

It’s a ritual that never loses its power. In those moments, the impact of community support is measured in lives changed, not just in dollars raised.

While Ruff Ride brought plenty of joy, Shirton was candid about the challenges facing the Burlington Humane Society today. The most pressing: a surge in stray cats. “Unfortunately, in our society, cats are often seen as disposable,” Shirton said. “Ninety percent of stray dogs are reclaimed by their owners, but 90% of cats are not. We’ve got far more cats than dogs, so food, especially adult cat food, is our biggest need.”

The statistics are stark, but they underscore why events like Ruff Ride matter. Each dollar raised helps provide food, shelter, and medical care for animals who might otherwise go without.

What sets the Burlington Humane Society apart is its commitment to serving not just animals, but the wider community. Shirton emphasized that their work is about more than adoptions. It is about education, outreach, and fostering empathy.

The shelter runs a pet therapy program, where volunteers bring their dogs to retirement homes and long-term care facilities, offering comfort and companionship to residents. A Pet First Aid course teaches pet owners how to care for their pets until they can reach a veterinarian, building confidence and skills. On Thursday evenings, their Burlington Humane Kids Club welcomes children eager to learn about responsible pet care. 

“Teaching kids early is so important,” Shirton noted. “They grow up understanding what it means to care for an animal, and that sense of responsibility stays with them.”

The shelter also hosts creative community events, like the Pooch Plunge earlier this month, where a local pool opened its gates just for dogs to splash and play. These initiatives highlight how the Burlington Humane Society sees itself as a hub for community connection.

While the Humane Society provided the venue and cause, it was the motorcycle community that gave the event its unique energy. The Southern Cruisers Riding Club, Chapter 57, played a pivotal role this year, guiding groups of riders safely through the winding backroads of Burlington’s countryside.

A motorcyclist poses before heading out on the Ruff Ride in support of Burlington Humane Society.

Kerry “Joker” McClelland, 2nd Officer of the Chapter 57 Southern Cruisers, said events like Ruff Ride are about challenging stereotypes as much as raising funds. 

“A lot of people who don’t ride don’t realize that we pay to do this,” McClelland said. “I like the public to know we’re not just bikers. When we do things like this, people get to see what we’re really about: community and safety.”

The Southern Cruisers, known for their community-inclusive approach to riding, emphasize camaraderie and safe riding practices and regulations. Their involvement in Ruff Ride is a natural extension of their philosophy: building community while giving back.

The atmosphere at Ruff Ride was a blend of celebration and purpose. Everywhere you looked, there were reminders of why the community had come together: dogs with helmets, volunteers sharing stories, and Shirton himself greeting attendees with gratitude. 

“This is an opportunity to get back to community,” Shirton said. “Events like this remind us that animals bring us together. They give us companionship, connection, and joy. That’s what today is about.”

The Burlington Humane Society is not slowing down. As the Ruff Riders started on their trek through North Burlington, staff turned their attention to the next wave of community initiatives. Right now, they’re inviting pet owners to submit photos for a chance to have their furry friends featured in the official 2026 Burlington Humane Society calendar. 

For those looking to stay connected year-round, the shelter produces the Burlington Humane Podcast, available on Spotify, which offers stories, interviews, and advice for pet owners and animal lovers alike.

And of course, the need for cash donations continues, particularly for adult cat food, which remains in high demand as the shelter cares for a growing feline population. Supporters can contribute directly at burlingtonhumane.ca/donate.

For Shirton, McClelland, and everyone who attended, the day was a reminder that generosity takes many forms. Sometimes it’s a donation. Sometimes it’s a photo submitted to a calendar contest. Sometimes it’s the ring of an adoption bell. And sometimes, it’s a group of bikers revving their engines for a cause bigger than themselves.

For more information on how you can get involved