Paws out in force for a cause

by Andrea Elliott

May 14, 2008

IT’S that time of year again, when weird and wonderful pets gather across the nation for the RSPCA’s million paws walk happening on Sunday, May 18.

According to the RSPCA spokesman Richard Barry, it’s not just a paws walk but a paws and hooves walk.

“Predominantly the walk is for dogs but we will have cats, ferrets, rats and rabbits in attendance,” he said. “Regionally, we have many horses registered, camels in Broome and a rescued calf flanked by two Burmese mountain dogs walking in Denmark.”

Mr Barry will personally be attending the walk in Perth accompanied by Geep, an unusual breed of goat or sheep or a cross between the two.

Perth’s main event kicks off at Sir James Mitchell Park in South Perth, with registrations commencing at 8am.

The RSPCA is hoping 12,000 people will attend.

 “We hope to see numbers up from 10,000 last year, but that is weather permitting, hoping the rain clears up” Mr Barry said.

All members of the public are invited, and encouraged to bring along their furry friends to help raise money.

“Corporate companies seem to target human-based charities, which provides a challenge for our animal based charities,” Mr Barry lamented.