Champ Wag ‘N Walk Goes Ahead on North Shore Despite Dog Sickness

New Zealand’s biggest dog day out is still going ahead on Auckland’s North Shore despite the spate of dog deaths and sickness believed to have been caused by sea slugs.

Champ Wag ‘N Walk takes place on Saturday 17 October at Milford Reserve. Last year the inaugural event took place on Milford Beach, however organisers have moved the 3km walk course to keep dogs well away from the beach.

“We would have loved to have kept the course on the beach but as event organisers we have to put the safety and wellbeing of participants, both human and canine, first and hence we have changed the course,” says event director Scott Rice.

“We were going to keep this new course as a back-up but we would rather give the dogs and owners peace of mind and ensure the event is as successful as it was last year. The bigger the event is, the larger the donation that goes to SPCA so it is all worthwhile.”

Champ Wag ‘N Walk starts at 8.30am and runs to 3pm with a 3km fun road walk and festival including entertaining dog shows, fun competitions, live music, a dog expo. The event supports SPCA Auckland and Paw Justice.

Last year’s inaugural Champ Wag ‘N Walk attracted 1300 dogs and 3000 people and this year organisers are expecting even more to make it the country’s biggest dog day out.

Shortland Street stars Fleur Saville, Bonnie Soper, Beth Allen and Shaun Edwards-Brown, together with former Silver Fern goal shoot Tania Dalton and North Shore Mayor Andrew Williams will be joining in the fun of the event.

North Shore Mayor Andrew Williams enjoyed last year’s event so much that he and his 15-year-old golden retriever Rimu are joining in the fun again in 2009.

“Champ Wag ‘N Walk is great for the whole family. We went last year and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. I was amazed at how there were so many different dogs there and all of them seemed to know they had to be on their best behaviour!

“You hear so many negative stories about dogs that it’s great to be able to celebrate with your dog.”

Entertainment at Champ Wag ‘N Walk will include the amazing tricks of Star Dogs, skills from flygility and agility dogs, a display by the New Zealand Customs Service detector dogs, Paws to Music with ChoreDOGraphy Connection plus live bands, face painting and competitions including the tallest, shortest, youngest and oldest dogs.

Treat your dog to a fun day out – register for the Champ Wag ‘N Walk at www.wagnwalk.co.nz. With each general adult pass you receive entry to the 3km fun walk and festival and a doggy bag full of goodies PLUS you’ll be supporting Auckland SPCA.

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