GRAB your dog, slap on a hat and get your walking shoes ready to go.
Yes, it’s that time of year again. Nationally, the RSPCA’s Million Paws Walk was held on Sunday 18 May. However, in Port Macquarie the event is being held Sunday 25 May because the venue is the racecourse and the national date clashes with a race meeting.
The RSPCA’s major fund-raiser for the year, the Port Macquarie walk attracted more than 200 pet owners and their dogs last year, who between them raised more than $3000.
Port Macquarie animal attendant Jo Snell said every penny raised goes to help save animals.
“The more money that is raised, the more animals we can help, so we are hoping to top last year’s tally,” she said.
This financial year to date, the local branch has helped more than 200 dogs and 300 cats, and with another six weeks to go until the end of the financial year that number can only go up.
Ms Snell said some pet owners were just not getting the de-sexing message, particularly cat owners, and they currently had about 30 kittens looking for homes.
The event will kick off at 9am when on-day registration opens, followed by the walk at 10am, which will be one lap of the racecourse. Proceedings will not finish at noon and there will be plenty to see and do apart from the walk, including pet-related stalls and displays and food and beverage stands. Entertainment will be provided by children from the Wauchope Performing Arts and the Blue Notes Ensemble band.
Cam Marshall from ABC Radio is the MC and mayor Peter Besseling will officially start the walk.
Those participating can register online before the event, which is slightly cheaper. For adults it costs $10 online, $15 on the day, child under 16 ($5 and $10), family ($20 and $30), concession ($5 and $10).
Nationally, the RSPCA NSW hopes to raise $300,000 to assist the 30,000-plus animals that it cares for each year.
Last financial year the RSPCA NSW Call Centre received over 14,600 calls made by concerned members of the community reporting cases of animal cruelty.
For information about all the RSPCA Million Paws Walk and to register visit millionpawswalk.com.au and start fundraising to help animals in need.
