We had a wonderful sunny day yesterday for our thirteenth annual Wag Walk!
(Pictured above: Rachel Jones, CEO at Bath Cats and Dogs Home with Laura Taylor and Katy Goodship from the Fundraising Team pictured with TV vet, Dr James Greenwood, his Labrador, Dolly and Bob Crampton from Radio Bath at the Wag Walk.)
Dogs, dog-lovers and walkers all enjoyed Bath’s biggest sponsored dog walk with over a hundred people taking part with their dogs this year. The event was supported by TV vet, Dr James Greenwood who attended the event along with his rescue Labrador, Dolly.
Dr James Greenwood said; “I have nothing but praise for the incredible animal welfare work provided by Bath Cats and Dogs Home as they do a wonderful job of rescuing vulnerable cats and dogs, but also rehabilitating their health and behaviour to get them ready to be safely rehomed. Please consider adopting a rescue pet if you’re able to and thank you to all my fellow walkers on the Wag Walk for supporting this brilliant charity.”
There were several families at the Wag Walk and one family in particular really enjoyed meeting Dr James Greenwood. Their little girl, who raised £60 for Bath Cats and Dogs Home, said it was her ‘great wish to meet a Pet Factor vet from CBBC’ so she was delighted when she recognised TV vet, Dr Greenwood with his dog Dolly and had a good chat with him at the start and during the two-mile walk. The family were joined on the walk by their neighbours who brought their dog, Ella, along with them.
Starting from the rescue centre in Claverton, Bath the two walking routes crossed beautiful countryside, including the National Trust Bath Skyline. There was a choice of a 2-mile flat route staying close to the Home or a 5-mile route with more challenging terrain. All dogs who took part received a dog-friendly goody bag of treats and a stylish ‘Wag Walk’ doggie bandana to wear on the walk and take home as a memento of the day.
The walk finished back in the event field at Bath Cats and Dogs Home where dogs and their owners cooled off with a splash in our paddling pools while our volunteers made sure that everyone had plenty of water to keep their dogs hydrated.
Richard Corp who adopted, Odey, a Jack Russell Cross from us two years ago said; “I am a big supporter of the rescue centre, they do wonderful work looking after animals in need and I was impressed with their knowledge and professionalism during Odey’s adoption in August 2021. This year’s Wag Walk was a brilliant event, Odey and I enjoyed walking the two-mile route with my wife, Suzanne. What’s most important is that the funds raised from this event are for an excellent cause, to provide care for rescue pets at the Home, so please support the charity if you can.”
(Photo credit: Stuart Ross, Owner of Harri the Dalmation. Harri is pictured here enjoying our paddling pools at Wag Walk)
Stuart Ross from Bath said: “I did the 5-mile walk at Wag Walk accompanied by my brilliant Dalmatian, Harri. We rehomed him from Bath Cats and Dogs Home about 11 years ago and he's now heading for 13 years old. He has been a loving dog and much admired by everybody we meet, particularly children. Thank you to all staff and volunteers for putting on such an enjoyable and beneficial event, I will certainly keep my eyes open for next year's Wag Walk event.”
Our thanks to all our volunteers and marshals and to the sponsors who supported the event including; Take Charge Bikes, Cotswold Outdoor and IMS Limited and sponsors of the goody bag gifts were Tails.com, Tuff Pets, W’zis, Green & Wilds, Hungry Pawz and Vets Kitchen.
Rachel Jones, CEO said; “We loved seeing so many of our rescue dogs return for the Wag Walk this year as well as many other local dogs and their owners. It was great to see them all having fun in the Bath countryside while raising money for the animals in our care. All sponsorship raised by our Wag Walk event is so much appreciated, particularly during this challenging time when so many more stray and abandoned dogs and cats are arriving at our rescue centre.”
