BY KATRINA BRANDON
RAISE a paw and walk along this Sunday (May 26) for the 30th annual RSPCA Million Paws Walk.
The event aims to raise money for animal safety around Australia.
This will be Traralgon’s seventh annual walk, where people can enjoy a morning coffee, breakfast, complementary dog-print face paint, a walk with their pups, competitions, and raffles. This year’s walk will take place on the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail at the Burnets Road Carpark, where people can walk one, three or six kilometres with their families and pups.
“This year, we are thrilled to host the event at the rail trail between Traralgon and Glengarry. To ensure everyone can participate and feel part of our community, we have divided the walk into three different levels. This way, even those who can’t go as far can still be involved and enjoy the day,” Traralgon’s walk coordinator Barb Webb-Self said.
“We normally have the competitions after the walk. It’s a way of trying to keep people there for a little bit longer, but when they arrive in the morning, they are biting at the bit. They are keen to walk, and we have a barbecue breakfast and a coffee van there. We also have very well-received raffles, which are dog-related. It’s all about the dogs in our theme.”
Trotting along the course, Ms Webb-Self encourages people to watch for dog behaviour. While a dog may be comfortable at home, the excitement of the day can overstimulate them, according to Ms Webb-Self.
During the walk, there will be volunteers around. Some will be at each turnaround point, one leading and another at the end of the stroll. There will also be chairs at each spot for those needing a rest before heading back to the starting point.
“We really try to encourage them to know that it’s not a race. There is no first prize for returning or being the fastest or slowest. Enjoy your walk, enjoy the time and scenery. Just at your pace,” Ms Webb-Self said.
For those who would like to pay by card at the event, EFTPOS machines will be available.
The event starts at 9am, with the walk beginning at 11am and ending at 1pm.
Ms Webb-Self told the Express that she looks forward to the event and hopes people can come along, embrace the paw-print face paint, and enjoy the day.
“We want to get as many cheeks on there as possible because what we want is a really big impact of people enjoying the moment,” she said.
To register for the event, you can either turn up on the day or go to millionpawswalk.com.au/traralgon
