Get ready to Wiggle Waggle for SPCA
Nov
11
Written by:
11/11/2010 3:30 PM
On Sunday 28 November, around 1500 dogs of all shapes and sizes, breeds and pedigrees will put their best paw forward for the SPCA Royal Canin Wiggle Waggle Walkathon – South Africa’s biggest charity dog walk. 
Joining their furry pals will be an estimated 2500 two-legged walkers, young and old, who will travel from far and wide to be part of this iconic, fun and special event. They will gather at the School for Maths, Science and Technology in Tokai for a gentle 4.5km walk around the tranquil suburb, and in so doing raise thousands of Rands to help less-fortunate animals being cared for by the Cape of Good Hope (CoGH) SPCA.
Premium pet food manufacturer, Royal Canin is partnering with the CoGH SPCA to organise the event and in addition to covering the costs of staging the walk, they’ll have lots of great freebies for all entrants on the day. “We’re very proud to be part of this event, which always puts an extra wag in the tail of the dogs taking part and helps the SPCA give hundreds of less fortunate dogs something to wiggle about”, said Guillaume Regi, Marketing Manager for Royal Canin South Africa.
And there’s another good reason to take part - the MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet fundraising programme, has again pledged an extra R10 to the SPCA for every dog entered. Last year just over 1613 dogs took part and this year the SPCA are aiming to get 2000 dogs entered to secure them a further R20 000.
But don’t let not owning a dog put you off entering. “Having a dog is not a pre-requisite to taking part - just bring yourself and your loved ones along to do the ‘doggy fan walk’ and witness the most impressive pooch parade in town”, said event organiser, Juan August who has put together the last 16 Wiggle Waggle Walkathons.
Juan has seen the event grow from just a few hundred walkers, when it was first staged in 1993, to an incredible 2400 walkers in 2009 “This event just gets bigger and better every year and months before the event we start getting calls from supporters asking us when it is going to take place – they just don’t want to miss it”, he said.
There’ll also be plenty to keep walkers and their children entertained before the walk starts - such as spot prizes, a jumping castle the chance to win R6 000 worth of shopping vouchers from the Barloworld Toyota stand. A wide variety of food and beverage stalls will also be available before and after the walk. Plenty of parking is available and all roads along the route will be closed to traffic with regular water points available to keep canine walkers and their owners refreshed.
All participants must register to take part and are encouraged to pre-register online at www.spca-ct.co.za or by completing an entry form. These are available from local veterinary practices or by contacting the SPCA on 021 700 4141 or e-mail comms@spca-ct.co.za. Walkers can also register at the venue on Saturday 27 November, between 10am – 2pm or on the day of the walk (Sunday 28 November), from 7am.
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The SPCA has reassured participants that pre-registering will make entry on the day quicker and easier. “We’re putting a lot of effort into streamlining entry to the event so that those who make the effort to pre-register will get quick and easy access on the day of the walk”, said Juan.
Money raised from entry fees and donations from Royal Canin will be used to fund the CoGH SPCA animal care centre, which each year takes in thousands of stray, neglected, abused and unwanted animals, and works tirelessly to adopt them to new homes. The Cape of Good Hope (CoGH) SPCA relies entirely on public donations and receives no government support.