Karen Kiefaber (middle) is captain of the Punk Rock Rovers, pictured right here again in 2015. The crew is again for a “Reunion Tour” at Pasadena Humane’s Wiggle Waggle Stroll and Run on Sunday, April 6 at Brookside Park on the Rose Bowl. Proceeds from this yr’s occasion assist assist animals affected by the Eaton fireplace and others like them. Register on-line at wigglewagglewalk.org.
This yr our annual Wiggle Waggle Stroll and Run returns to Brookside Park on Sunday, April 6, with a brand new message of hope and resilience: Robust Collectively, Step by Step.
Now in its twenty seventh yr, each greenback raised at our beloved fundraiser and neighborhood competition helps to supply lifesaving care and shelter to the animals at Pasadena Humane, together with these affected by the Eaton fireplace.
The Stroll is at all times a time of celebration for us at Pasadena Humane. It’s our alternative to attach with our neighborhood, our supporters, and animal-lovers from throughout. It’s a tremendous occasion that immediately helps animals in our neighborhood. This yr, it will likely be additional particular as we begin inching again to normalcy within the wake of the fireplace.
And it was the fireplace that prompted the return of one of the memorable Wiggle Waggle Stroll groups of all time: the Punk Rock Rovers. On the helm of this self-described band of punk rock misfits is longtime supporter, Karen Kiefaber.
Pasadena Humane first got here into Karen’s life thirty years in the past. She had simply moved to Southern California for work, when she discovered an injured, stray canine. She introduced “Fortunate” to our shelter the place he acquired veterinary take care of his accidents.
Karen visited Fortunate each day as he healed. As soon as he was properly sufficient, she adopted him. Being new to the world, Fortunate and Pasadena Humane turned an necessary a part of Karen’s life. She continued to remain concerned with the group, wanting to present again to the place that had accomplished a lot for her and Fortunate.
In 2004, Karen turned concerned with the planning committee for the Wiggle Waggle Stroll. She helped flip what was then a small fundraiser right into a signature occasion for the shelter, serving to us increase a whole bunch of hundreds of {dollars} yearly for the animals.
Karen captained her personal crew, the Punk Rock Rovers, rising it right into a phenomenon.
“While you consider it, the love of animals crosses so many communities and walks of life,” Karen explains. “We tapped into the variety of our personal neighborhood. Past the love of animals, the love of music and rock trend introduced us collectively.”
The Punk Rock Rovers turned identified for his or her annual rock-inspired t-shirts. These particular version tees with intelligent performs on rock classics just like the “Gimme Shelter” by the Rolling Stones paid homage to icons just like the Prince, Kiss, and David Bowie.
As a consequence of their recognition, Karen started promoting the crew’s shirts to boost additional funds for the animals. “Our t-shirts weren’t a “throw-away” promotional t-shirt. It was cool to put on,” Karen added. “I STILL see them on individuals.”
After the Eaton fireplace, Karen noticed the necessity for assets to assist animals affected by this horrible tragedy. She felt it was time to get the Punk Rock Rovers again collectively for what she’s aptly calling a “Reunion Tour.”
“The care, work and love the shelter delivered to the neighborhood is and continues to be priceless,” she shares. “I, for one, really feel so lucky to have a shelter like Pasadena Humane in my neighborhood.”
Karen guarantees there can be a brand new t-shirt at this yr’s Wiggle Waggle Stroll. I can not wait to see what she comes up with.
I hope you’ll be a part of us subsequent Sunday, April 6, at Brookside Park on the Rose Bowl for what guarantees to be a fun-filled morning for an ideal trigger.
You’ll be able to enroll as a person or be a part of a crew. The Punk Rock Rovers are at all times in search of new members who might help “Rock the Stroll!”
Register on-line at wigglewagglewalk.org
Chris Ramon is interim president and CEO of Pasadena Humane.
This weblog put up initially appeared as a column within the Pasadena Star-Information on March 28, 2025.
Autor Pasadena Humane
