Column: Time to wiggle or waggle at this dog-friendly fundraiser

Karen Kiefaber (center) is captain of the Punk Rock Rovers, pictured here back in 2015. The team is back for a “Reunion Tour” at Pasadena Humane’s Wiggle Waggle Walk and Run on Sunday, April 6 at Brookside Park at the Rose Bowl. Proceeds from this year’s event help support animals affected by the Eaton fire and others like them. Register online at wigglewagglewalk.org.

This year our annual Wiggle Waggle Walk and Run returns to Brookside Park on Sunday, April 6, with a new message of hope and resilience: Strong Together, Step by Step.

Now in its 27th year, every dollar raised at our beloved fundraiser and community festival helps to provide lifesaving care and shelter to the animals at Pasadena Humane, including those affected by the Eaton fire.

The Walk is always a time of celebration for us at Pasadena Humane. It’s our opportunity to connect with our community, our supporters, and animal-lovers from all over. It is an amazing event that directly helps animals in our community. This year, it will be extra special as we start inching back to normalcy in the wake of the fire.

And it was the fire that prompted the return of one of the most memorable Wiggle Waggle Walk teams of all time: the Punk Rock Rovers. At the helm of this self-described band of punk rock misfits is longtime supporter, Karen Kiefaber.

Pasadena Humane first came into Karen’s life thirty years ago. She had just moved to Southern California for work, when she found an injured, stray dog. She brought “Lucky” to our shelter where he received veterinary care for his injuries.

Karen visited Lucky every day as he healed. Once he was well enough, she adopted him. Being new to the area, Lucky and Pasadena Humane became an important part of Karen’s life. She continued to stay involved with the organization, wanting to give back to the place that had done so much for her and Lucky.

In 2004, Karen became involved with the planning committee for the Wiggle Waggle Walk. She helped turn what was then a small fundraiser into a signature event for the shelter, helping us raise hundreds of thousands of dollars every year for the animals.

Karen captained her own team, the Punk Rock Rovers, growing it into a phenomenon.

“When you think of it, the love of animals crosses so many communities and walks of life,” Karen explains. “We tapped into the diversity of our own community. Beyond the love of animals, the love of music and rock fashion brought us together.”

The Punk Rock Rovers became known for their annual rock-inspired t-shirts. These special edition tees with clever plays on rock classics like the “Gimme Shelter” by the Rolling Stones paid homage to icons like the Prince, Kiss, and David Bowie.

Due to their popularity, Karen began selling the team’s shirts to raise extra funds for the animals. “Our t-shirts weren’t a “throw-away” promotional t-shirt. It was cool to wear,” Karen added. “I STILL see them on people.”

After the Eaton fire, Karen saw the need for resources to help animals affected by this horrible tragedy. She felt it was time to get the Punk Rock Rovers back together for what she’s aptly calling a “Reunion Tour.”

“The care, work and love the shelter brought to the community is and continues to be priceless,” she shares. “I, for one, feel so fortunate to have a shelter like Pasadena Humane in my community.”

Karen promises there will be a new t-shirt at this year’s Wiggle Waggle Walk. I cannot wait to see what she comes up with.

I hope you’ll join us next Sunday, April 6, at Brookside Park at the Rose Bowl for what promises to be a fun-filled morning for a great cause.

You can sign up as an individual or join a team. The Punk Rock Rovers are always looking for new members who can help “Rock the Walk!”

Register online at wigglewagglewalk.org

Chris Ramon is interim president and CEO of Pasadena Humane.

This blog post originally appeared as a column in the Pasadena Star-News on March 28, 2025.