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 Here's a chance for you to help out a really worthwhile cause. Join the fun at the great Ferrymead Wiggle Waggle Walkathon fun walk or run for dogs and their owners. It's a special opportunity to get you and your dog some healthy exercise and fun social time while benefiting a great local charity, Dogwatch.
Back in the days when Heathcote had its own Council, we used to send our unwanted dogs out to a pound in Bromley. Signs of its unhappy past still occasionally turn up, with a recent find being an old dog collar with a metal tag on it, "Heathcote 1952".
Now the site is home to the Dogwatch charity. These wonderful people make it their job to find homes for abandoned dogs who have not been re-homed from the Christchurch City Council's shelter.
The Wiggle Waggle Walkathon is happening on Sunday, 22 March, with a 10 am start. Last registrations are at 9.30 am. It's an easy walk, or for those game for it, an easy run! No winners, no losers, but lots of great spot prizes from local businesses, Masterpet and Eukanuba.
The walk is followed by a free BBQ lunch & refreshments, and lots of tasty Eukanuba treats for your dogs to try. The fun continues with obedience and agility demonstrations, a doggie play area and prizes for the waggiest tail, best look alike dog and owner, smallest and largest dogs and many, many more. The team from the Ferrymead Veterinary Clinic will be there all day, so take the opportunity to have a chat with them!
The route begins and ends in McCormacks Bay Park. We walk to the Heathcote River through Ferrymead and Woolston, then it's back around the waterfront and estuary to McCormacks Bay Park. Refreshment pit stops along the route for dog and owner with spot prizes too.
 Dogwatch was established in 1982 by Peggy Van Bree and Estelle Win, who were concerned at the plight of condemned dogs at the Christchurch City Council dog shelter. Originally, the rescued dogs were taken into their homes on a temporary basis. Guidelines were established to ensure responsible, permanent homes were found. These guidelines are still used today.
In 1984, Dogwatch became a Registered Charitable Trust. Volunteers were recruited to be foster carers for the rescued dogs. In addition, a Working Committee and a Board of Trustees was formed. In December 2001, the new Adoption Centre was officially opened by the mayor. Dogwatch relies on donations, grants and
legacies. Funds are also raised from the Second Hand Variety Shop in
New Brighton.
Cost: $10 registration fee – all proceeds go to Dogwatch. Post or drop the registration form into Ferrymead Veterinary Clinic.
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