It's one small step for mankind, but one giant leap for our animal welfare.
The ‘Walk Your Dog to the Moon' event will see Kiwis and their pups walk 385,500km – the distance from the earth to the moon – to help raise funds for the SPCA.
Tauranga pups and their owners can walk 4.6km at Fergusson Park in Matua to start their journey to space, with the local event getting under way at 10am on Saturday, November 3.
SPCA marketing and communications coordinator Danielle Tucker says the fundraiser has been designed to offer a meaningful and interactive virtual experience which will show participants how their efforts are impacting animals at local shelters.
'Walk Your Dog to the Moon was created as the number of animals who need our help keep increasing.
'It's a virtual event and the idea is that throughout the month of November, people can track their kilometres and log it online and then get their friends, family and colleagues to sponsor them,” says Danielle.
'It will also be kick-started by a dog walk in the first week of November across several locations in New Zealand, including Blenheim, Nelson, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Tauranga, Rotorua, New Plymouth, Wellington and two in Auckland.”
If you don't have a dog you can still take part. SPCA has its own Furbassadors – rescue dogs who have been re-homed and are located all over New Zealand.
'You can either get on board with a family or friend's dog, or track the kilometres of one of our virtual dogs,” says Danielle.
'We will also have a ton of fun incentives, such as competitions and prizes for people who have walked the most.”
SPCA CEO Andrea Midgen says each year the demand for SPCA support grows, with more animals being brought to local shelters for care.
Earlier this year SPCA compiled its annual statistics, and in 2017 alone received more than 15,500 animal welfare complaints – the highest recorded to date.
'Seeing a rise in the number of animal welfare complaints year on year, shows we continue to have significant animal cruelty issues in New Zealand,” says Andrea.
'Creating engaging fundraisers for the public is vital to ensure that we continue to help more than 45,000 animals that come through our doors each year.”
SPCA aims to raise at least $150,000 nationwide through Walk Your Dog to the Moon. All funds donated will be used to directly help rescue, rehabilitate and re-home animals.
'The demand for our services has never been greater. We have high hopes for Walk Your Dog to the Moon and hope the public get behind it,” says Andrea.
A $12 registration fee applies for each participant which includes a doggy pedometer, doggy bandana and a welcome pack of information on fundraising. You can register for Walk Your Dog to the Moon at: www.walktothemoon.co.nz