99k for Canines walking challenge

You don’t need to provide proof but you can post pictures and updates in our Facebook group with your daily or weekly kms so everyone can see your progress including the friends and family who have sponsored you. For safety reasons it is best not to share your walking routes.

Everyone who takes part can request a certificate at the end of the challenge, thanking them for helping ensure more dogs find their forever home. There will also be images that you can share on your fundraising page, sent through regular email updates and via the Facebook group.

The best way is to use your smart phone. If you have an iPhone or Samsung there will be a preinstalled ‘Health’ App that tracks your daily steps and distance walked. Other apps you can use are: Strava, Runkeeper, Map My Walk and others. If not, you can always have a look on a map (digital or printed) to calculate your distances.

We will also send you a paper km tracker in your pack so you can tot up your daily kms.

The great thing about this walking challenge is that you can take as long as you need. You can start early, or finish a little later, it doesn’t matter. If you need longer than the month, that’s no problem at all; just complete it a pace that suits you (and your pooch!). You can even walk more than 99k if you’re feeling up to the challenge, it’s up to you!

However you decide to complete the 99k for Canines event, our top priority is for you and your dog to be safe and happy throughout the event. As well as the chance to go to the toilet outside the home, spending time outdoors gives dogs the opportunity to exercise their brains, bodies and all their senses in a natural way. It can help them keep fit, healthy and enjoy themselves, so we hope that your dog can take part in the event.

But we know that each dog is different, and for many reasons they need different amounts and types of exercise. Age, health issues, shape of face, length of body/legs and other mobility issues can all be factors in deciding if your dog can complete the challenge, and how you will go about it. Your vet can provide specific advice for your dog if you need.

Puppies are most welcome to take part however at a reduced level because they have different exercise requirements to adult dogs. While puppies are growing, developing strength, stamina and general fitness, it’s important to ensure they’re avoiding over-exertion, always benefitting from activity and enjoying it. We recommend speaking to your vet to help decide what distance your puppy can walk.

If you, or your canine companion can’t complete the challenge for any reason, we are sure your friends won’t mind if you extend the dates to complete it, reduce the distance, or complete some of the distance on your own. We certainly won’t!