Tails will be wagging on Greytown’s Rail Trail when the owners of pooches of all shapes and sizes take to their leads and join in the BIG Rail Trail Dog Walk on Sunday 27 May.
The canine fundraiser is aimed at raising awareness for Retired Working Dogs (RWD) New Zealand, which rehomes old, failed or injured working dogs. President of RWD, Natalie Smith, believes that just because a dog is retired from work it shouldn’t mean that it has come to the end of its life. “Many of the dogs that we are asked to re-home are not retired in the sense that they are old; a good proportion of them are young dogs that simply couldn’t, or didn’t, want to work,” explained Natalie.
“They make great pets, as even a ‘failed’ working dog knows basic commands and they generally have fantastic recall.
“Some of the dogs that we re-home come from large stations and are unable to keep up with the demands of a busy working life, but would suit a smaller farm or lifestyle block, while others are referred to us through vet clinics, after they have sustained career-ending injuries. These dogs are taken into our foster programme, receive the surgeries and medical care they need, and are then re-homed.”
There will be a sausage sizzle, a number of stalls including dog treats and food, bric-a-brac, a coffee cart and dog photographer.
Event organisers are keen to promote responsible dog ownership. A dog behaviour expert will be on hand to give quick tips to owners and a vet to check dogs’ teeth.
Owners are asked to keep their dogs on a leash while on the trail and under their control at all times and to please bring poo bags and a muzzle, if their dog needs one while out in public. The adjacent dog park allows dogs off lead if under control.
The walk starts at 10.30am. Registration costs $10 per adult, and people who register in advance will receive a goodie bag. Registration at: retiredworkingdogs.org.nz/trailwalk.
The walk commences at the Cotter Street car park entrance of the beautiful Woodside Trail. Owners and their dogs can walk as much of the 5km trail out to Woodside Railway Station as they choose
For further details about the walk, please contact Karen Cox on 021 101 4691 or via our contact page
For media enquiries, please contact Natalie Smith on 027 453 0622 or via our contact page