SPCA Cupcake Day 2026 Raises Over $100,000 for Animals

SPCA New Zealand has wrapped up its Cupcake Day 2026 fundraiser. The official Cupcake Day was held on Wednesday 16 September, and last-minute donations were still being added in October, bringing the final total to $100,499.71 for the animals in SPCA's care.

Cupcake Day works simply: supporters bake and sell cupcakes on behalf of the animals, and the money raised goes to SPCA.

SPCA Events and Partnerships Manager Elinor Birch said the team was "blown away by the support" this year. Raising over $100,000 meant the campaign surpassed the Cupcake Day totals of the past two years. There were 342 participants baking and selling cupcakes, with individuals, workplaces and schools getting involved and hosting bake sales, and she said SPCA was incredibly grateful.

Category winners

SPCA named winners in three award categories:

• Top Individual Fundraiser: Cobie and Genesis, with the highest individual fundraising total.
• Top Community Fundraiser: Tango, raising $1,238.
• Top Workplace Fundraiser: Westpac, raising $16,840.

The winners received prizes from KitchenAid, PB Tech and Milly's Kitchen. Many cafes and bakeries also took part this year, selling treats as SPCA Cupcake Business Champions.

Why the money matters

Elinor Birch said SPCA helps over 55,000 animals each year and relies heavily on fundraising to do so. She thanked everyone who baked a cupcake or a "pupcake", or simply bought one.

SPCA (the Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) is a registered charity. If you are looking for affordable vet options for your own pet, see our low-cost vet care guide.

Sources

• https://www.spca.nz/news-and-events/news-article/cupcakeday2026-wrap