Take your pooch out on a special day by joining this year’s Million Paws Walk.
The annual charity event for humans and dogs alike will run at the Patrick White Lawns on Sunday 25 May from 9am to 2pm.
While 2025 is the last year of Million Paws Walk nationally, RSPCA ACT CEO Michelle Robertson said the local branch would run their own event in 2026 and beyond.
“We think the community really loves the event and they support us,” Ms Robertson said.
“As long as the community chooses to support us, we will continue to have the event, in some shape or form.
“It might have to be called something else, or it might be slightly different, but we’re not going to stop the event.”
Ms Robertson said any dog could attend, no matter the age, size or breed, as long as they were on lead, vaccinated and social.
“It is so amazing. I feel a bit like a child in a candy shop because you see the giant massive dogs and tiny little dogs — and everything else in between,” she said.
“It’s just really special.”
The event will kick off at 9am on the day, with the walk commencing at 11am.
After the walk, stick around to enjoy food, music, retail stalls, representatives from other rescue groups, prizes and more. It’s a day of fun, friendship, and fundraising you won’t want to miss!
“You can come for as long as you want, or for as long as your dog can follow,” Ms Robertson said.
“You can come and chill and walk around, and there will be stuff to eat and buy and treats (for both people and dogs).”
She said the event welcomes everyone, even those without a dog.
“It can cater for nearly anyone, you don’t even need a dog. Just come along,” Ms Robertson said.
“There are so many dogs there that are going to love to be patted, so you’re going to be able to get your snuggles in.”
Ms Robertson said the money raised on the day would go directly to RSPCA ACT.
“Although it’s a fun day — that is at the centre of it — it’s about coming and enjoying a really nice day in a beautiful location and soaking up everything that Canberra has to offer,” she said.
“But it is also about supporting us.”
She said it has been a challenging time for the shelter with an increasing number of puppy litters coming in.
“From 1 July 2024 to where we are now, there’s been about 230 puppies,” Ms Robertson said.
She said the 2024 Million Paws Walk raised $50,000, which she hoped could be equalled this year.
Ms Robertson said that due to not being government funded, 60-70 per cent of RPSCA ACT’s income came from fundraising events and donations.
“We have a service funding agreement with the ACT Government, but that’s for our inspectorate for a part of the work that we do for cats, but that’s less than 13 per cent of our total revenue,” she said.
“Every dollar that people give to us, 100 per cent goes to running this place and looking after animals.”
She said the money went towards things including food, daily care of the animals, vet checks and surgeries.
The shelter sees an array of animals taken into its care, including dogs, cats, roosters, ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, “unusual” bird breeds, reptiles, the “occasional” sheep or goat, ducks and geese.
“It’s basically all creatures and we do our best to find homes for them,” Ms Robertson said.
The Million Paws Walk will take place at the Patrick White Lawns on Sunday 25 May from 9am to 2pm.
Details of the event and registrations can be found here: millionpawswalk.com.au
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