Million Paws Pound The Cannonvale Pavement

There perhaps wasn’t a million of them but more than 500 paws pounded the pavement of the Bicentennial Walkway in Cannonvale this morning.

The paws belonged to the dogs taking part in the annual Million Paws walk fundraiser for the animal welfare organisation, the RSPCA.

A procession of dogs and their owners departed the singer net at Cannonvale Beach and slowly made their way to Shingley Beach before returning to fun back at Cannonvale Beach.

It was then time for K9 crew to strut their stuff in the cutest puppy, fluffiest dog and dogs with talent competitions.

Natalie Staines entered her two rescue Maltese terriers, Ollie and Molly in the fluffiest dog competition and said the walk was about supporting the work of the RSPCA.

Ms Staines said she went to the Friends of the RSPCA and was introduced to Molly who had been badly mistreated by her previous owners.
“She had 15 teeth removed and she had hardly any hair on her and she was in a really bad way,” she said.

“She (Molly) just made it and now look at her.”

Ms Staines went with the intention of taking one dog but saw Ollie and couldn’t help but take him too.

“I couldn’t help it and she needs a friend when I am at work.”

All the money raised from the proceeds of the Million Paws walk goes to help the RSPCA continue their advocacy work on behalf of all animals.

We just want to help raise fund for these animals that need medication and hospitalisation, that’s what this is all about.”

Volunteer organiser of the event Suzanne Crabtree said she had received 130 registrations.

“The money we raise goes to the RSPCA to help animals that have been cruelly treated,” she said.

The RSPCA Million Paws walk is coordinated national wide on May 15 every year.

SOURCE: WHITSUNDAY TIMES