OUR HISTORY
Million Paws Walk was introduced in Queensland in 1994. The idea came from Dr Cam Day, who was the RSPCA Queensland Operations Manager and Veterinarian at that time. Dr Day believed a special event involving people and dogs walking together could be a triple win: providing a fun day out, promoting responsible pet ownership, and raising much needed funds for the RSPCA. Inspiration for the concept came from a brilliant "Dog-A-Thon" activity held by the Rockhampton Dog Obedience Club, where they raised funds for the local RSPCA branch.
The inaugural Million Paws Walk event in Brisbane was incredibly successful, leading to its expansion across the country and it's standing as a much-loved tradition for two-legged and four-legged attendees alike. Over the years, more than 750,000 people and 400,000 pooches have participated in Million Paws Walk, raising a phenomenal $16 million for animals in need.
Thanks 'a million' for being a part of our history!
A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE...
1994
The very first Million Paws Walk was held in New Farm Park, Brisbane in October. 500 participants took part with their dogs to make a difference for animals in need. It was a huge success with nearly $10,000 raised!
1995
The event moves from October to May to beat the heat, and dog lovers strut their stuff in Brisbane, Rockhampton, Cairns, Townsville, Kingaroy, Mackay and Bundaberg. Together they raise $70,000!
1996
Time to go interstate! Million Paws Walk ventures into Victoria.
1997
The party expands! New South Wales, South Australia and Australian Capital Territory join in on the fun, with the event now taking place in five states/territories.
1999
A special addition called "The Black Tag Parade" was introduced to the event, where dogs that were once victims of cruelty and given black identification tags upon rescue by Inspectors, were given the honor to lead the walk together with their owners. These incredible dogs proudly wore colourful coats bearing the message "RSPCA rescued me".
2004
RSPCA celebrates a decade of Million Paws Walk, marking ten years of wagging tails and helping animals in need.
2015
RSPCA ACT smashed the Guinness World Record for the ‘Most Dogs Wearing Bandanas’ at their annual Million Paws Walk! It took 764 dogs, all wearing bandanas for five minutes to break the record previously held by a group in Canada.
2020
With physical events halted across the country due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Million Paws Walk went virtual, with the introduction of “Walk This May”. Participants walked in their own neighbourhoods every day for the month of May to raise funds. Walk This May still remains popular, a great option for people that cannot attend an in-person event.
2021
Despite the pandemic continuing, Aussies continued to walk and wag to fight animal cruelty, raising over $700,000 through Walk This May!
2022
Physical events start to return, inviting communities to join together once again for the ultimate doggy day out.
2023
Million Paws Walk makes a comeback! Events are held in every state and territory for the first time since 2019. Across 33 locations, 20,000 passionate animal lovers rally together, raising a phenomenal $1.3 million to help animals in need!
Which walks have you joined?
Adelaide | Airlie Beach | Albany | Albert Park | Albury | Armidale | Ballarat | Bathurst | Bendigo | Berri | Berridale | Blue Mountains | Bowen | Bribie Island | Bridgetown | Brisbane | Broken Hill | Broome | Brunswick Junction | Bundaberg | Busselton | Caboolture | Cairns | Caloundra | Canberra | Cannonvale | Castlemaine | Ceduna | Central Coast | Chinchilla | Cleveland | Cobar | Coffs Harbour | Collie | Collinsville | Coolum | Cooma | Cooper Pedy | Cuballing | Cunderdin | Dakabin | Dalby | Darwin | Denmark | Dongara | Dubbo | Eildon | Esk | Esperance | Eurodoballa | Exmouth | Fairfield | Fernvale | Geelong | Geraldton | Glen Innes | Gold Coast | Goomaling | Goondiwindi | Goulburn | Gunnedah | Gympie | Hamilton | Harvey | Hervey Bay | Hills & Hasbro | Hobart | Hunter | Huonville | Hurstbridge | Illawarra | Innisfail | Inverell | Ipswich | Kalbarri | Kalgoorlie | Kambalda | Katoomba | Kempsey | King Island | Kingaroy | Kondinin | Kununurra | Lake Hamilton | Launceston | Logan | Longreach | Mackay | Maleny | Mansfield | Margaret River | Maryborough | Melton | Miami | Mission Beach | Moranbah | Mornington Peninsula | Morpeth | Mount Isa | Mudgee | Mundaring | Murray Bridge | Nambour | Narrogin | Noosa | North Lakes | North Tamborine | Nowra | Nundah | Orange | Palmerston | Paynesville | Perth | Petrie | Pingelly | Port Augusta | Port Lincoln | Port Macquarie | Port Pirie | Portland | Redcliffe | Rockhampton | Rockingham | Roma | Sale | Samford | Sandgate | Sapphire Coast | Second Valley | Seaview Park | Shark Bay | Shepparton | Shoalhaven | Smithton | Speers Point | St Helens | Stanley | Strathpine | Swan Hill | Sydney | Tamworth | Tannum Sands | Taree & District | Thomastown | Toowoomba | Townsville | Traralgon | Tweed Heads | Ulladulla | Ulverstone | Victor Harbor | Wagga Wagga | Wallaroo | Wandering | Wangaratta | Warragul | Warrnambool | Whittlesea | Whyndam | Woodgate Beach | Wyndham | York
