Million Paws Walk
{{Short description|Annual dog walking event in Australia}}
The Million Paws Walk is a national activity day by the Australian Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals held in May.
Dog owners take their animals walking on designated routes in various cities and towns, with the aim to get around 250,000 animals nationally (hence "a million paws".)
Owners pay a small contribution that goes to the running of local RSPCA animal shelters.
The RSPCA arranges for water troughs and 'poo' disposal bins at various places around the course.
History
The walk was inaugurated in Queensland in 1994 after Dr Cam Day, the RSPCA Queensland Operations Manager and Veterinarian, considered ways to raise $1 million and community awareness for disadvantaged animals.{{Citation | author1=Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Australia), (issuing body.) | title=Million Paws Walk | publication-date=1994 | publisher=RSPCA Australia | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/191430368 | access-date=21 May 2024}}
The inaugural Million Paws Walk was held in Brisbane's New Farm Park in October 1994 as the main focus of Pet Week celebrations. The idea was taken to a national audience in 1996.
{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article261756288 |title=RSPCA |newspaper=The Australian Jewish News |volume=102 |issue=21 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=14 February 1997 |accessdate=21 May 2024 |page=6 (Expressions Magazine) |via=National Library of Australia}} By 2004 there were 60 walks with around 30,000 people and 25,000 animals participating in every Australian state and territory.
The RSPCA has annnounced that, due to rising costs of hosting the event, the 2025 walk will be the last Million Paws Walk. https://www.millionpawswalk.com.au/faqs
Venues
- Canberra, Australian Capital Territory – Lake Burley Griffin.{{Citation | author1=Rudd, Kevin | author2=Australian Labor Party | title=Transcript of remarks at the RSPCA million paws walk, Canberra | publication-date=2010-05-16 | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/193069225 | access-date=21 May 2024}}
- Sydney – Centennial Park, Sydney.{{Citation | author1=Huban, Ron | title=Million Paws Walk at Centennial Park; National Tree Day at Belmore Park, 2002 / photographed by Ron Huban | publication-date=2002 | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/235948902 | access-date=21 May 2024}}.
- Melbourne – Albert Park
- Brisbane, Queensland – University of Queensland
- Gladstone, Queensland – Canoe Point Beach
- Perth, Western Australia – Sir James Mitchell Park.{{Citation | author1=Gallop, Geoff | title=Gallop, Geoff. RSPCA Million Paws Walk 2004, Sir James Mitchell Park, South Perth, 15 May 2004 | publication-date=2004 | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/253804091 | access-date=22 May 2024}}
- Adelaide, South Australia – Bonython Park.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article280119370 |title=Paws to walk for RSPCA |newspaper=Hills and Valley Messenger |volume= |issue=1737 |location=South Australia |date=7 May 2003 |accessdate=21 May 2024 |page=4 |via=National Library of Australia}}
- Hobart, Tasmania – Queens Domain
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.rspca.org.au RSPCA Australia]
- [http://www.millionpawswalk.com.au/ Million Paws Walk]
- [http://onski.blogspot.com/2007/05/million-paws-walk-ralph-groodle.html Ralph the Groodle at the Million Paws Walk]