Photos courtesy of Sarah Barrett from the Animal Justice Party.
For the first time, the Animal Justice Party SA is introducing a new event, ‘Walk for the Animals’, to raise much-needed funds for animals in need. Taking place along the picturesque River Torrens, the walk itself takes approximately 45 minutes, and has been designed for all levels of fitness, for both man and man’s best friend. No stairs or steep inclines, so it’s completely accessible for prams and those with limited mobility, and there are designated short-cuts along the way, for those who would prefer a shorter walk.
“Most Australians are deep animal lovers, and this event is a way to connect those personal values with broader social change,” says Sarah Barrett, deputy convenor for the Animal Justice Party (AJP).
“One of AJP’s roles is to show people how animal issues are often interlinked with human issues – like our Veticare proposal (a Medicare-style system for vet bills), advocating for pets to stay with their owners in retirement living, and protecting our waterbirds by ending duck hunting. Seeing a crowd of people (and their dogs!) standing up for these causes will be incredibly rewarding,” she says.
Attending the event is free, but there’s a $20 registration fee to participate in the walk, and all of the money raised will go towards supporting three vital organisations: the AJP, the Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds, and the Cat Adoption Foundation. The event also aims to raise awareness of some of the current issues facing animals, including welfare issues within the racing industry, and the promotion of rescues and fostering and working toward a “No-Kill Australia”.
“Our primary goal is to provide a platform for animal advocacy in South Australia. The AJP is Australia’s only political party dedicated to giving animals a voice in parliament, fighting for better regulations and animal rights,” says Sarah. “This event is about raising both funds and awareness to ensure these organisations can continue their life-saving work.”
If you don’t have a dog, you can still participate in the walk and take part in the festivities, which promise a fun-filled family day out. There will be a 100% plant-based sausage sizzle, homemade cakes, a coffee van for those needing a caffeine fix to get them amped up for the walk, and face-painting for the little ones. The main event of the day is the 4km walk, which begins at 11am, but there are also plenty of stalls to explore as well, so the event officially kicks off at 10am.
A day of fun and entertainment (not to mention, lots of adorable doggy cuddles!) for all of those who want to make our wonderful state a happier and more humane place for all animals.
Walk for the Animals
When: Sunday 17 May, from 10am – 1.30pm
Where: Pinky Flat, War Memorial Dr, North Adelaide SA 5006
Cost: $20 to participate in the walk
For more information or to book tickets, click here.
