After 30 years of its superheroes fighting animal cruelty around the country, the RSPCA has made the difficult decision to hang up Million Paws Walk’s leash for the final time, with May 2025 being the final walk event. Photos: Supplied.
RSPCA Australia’s final Million Paws Walk took place around the country today (25 May), but according to Albury president Arthur Frauenfelder, big changes are on the horizon – with plans to reinvent the occasion on a local scale in 2026.
The event has been held for 31 years, but the national organisation says it is becoming increasingly difficult to host due “to the rising costs significantly impacting fundraising viability challenges”.
“The financial strain on animal lovers and increasing event costs has meant Million Paws Walk is no longer able to provide what it once could – maximum funding going directly towards vital RSPCA services to care for tens of thousands of animals every year,” said a statement on the RSPCA’s website.
A veterinary surgeon, Mr Frauenfelder has been the Albury RSPCA’s volunteer president for 40 years and believes the event is too good to let go, stating “watch this space” in 2026.
“It’s really sad that this is the last one and it did hit us hard, but we realise it has run its course with RSPCA Australia, who have put their stamp on it in recent years,” he said.
“Going forward, we will definitely hold something next year, we’ve already passed the motion, and it will have a local stamp on it.
“We’ll also have more input than we normally do, which is fine.”
Over the past three decades, more than 750,000 people and 400,000 dogs have taken part in the walk, raising $17 million for animals in need.
The Albury walk attracts between 200 and 500 people, who, with pooch in hand, walk from Hovell Tree Park along the Murray River and around Gateway Island before enjoying a pet show, auction and raffle draw by its conclusion at 2 pm.
“We look at it as a fun day, and as an offshoot of that we raise some funds,” Mr Frauenfelder said.
“The reason that it is so successful is that it is a day out for the family and the timing can work in with, or around, other sports commitments parents might have.
“People can walk any distance they like. Some families have children in prams, or toddlers, so they work out how long they want to do.
“It’s going to be a great event this year, a culmination of all the experiences we have had for the last 31 years, but we’ve decided we’ll be doing it again next year too, regardless of what RSPCA Australia decide.”
Albury RSPCA president Arthur Frauenfelder says the local community has been hugely supportive of the Million Paws Walk since its inception and he wants to continue the event despite RSPCA Australia “hanging up the leash” on the fundraiser.
Mr Frauenfelder praised the local community, saying residents had been strong supporters of the day since its inception.
“The first event we ever did, my car was full to the brim with donations and I was squashed into the driver’s seat.
“The local business community has been incredibly generous and supported us to the nth degree, not just as participants but in giving us prizes and allowing us to make it such a fantastic day.”
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, whose members raised funds for the local RSPCA branch.
The inaugural Million Paws Walk event in Brisbane was highly successful, leading to its expansion across the country and its standing as a much-loved tradition for two-legged and four-legged attendees.
Did you know?
- Just $36 can help provide a dog with a warm bed, love and care for one day in a shelter
- $58 can help a shelter dog learn to trust again with specialised training and affection
- $90 can help transport injured and abused animals to medical care
- $252 can help care for a dog in a shelter for a week
- $1008 can help the RSPCA care for a mistreated, abused or abandoned dog in a shelter for a month.
