Pet Walk 2.0 returns next April in Kuching to promote responsible pet ownership

KUCHING (Oct 26): The popular Pet Walk is set to return for its second edition here next year, promising a bigger and livelier event to promote responsible pet ownership and rabies prevention.

Pet Walk 2.0 will take place on April 26 next year at the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) compound.

It is jointly organised by Pertubuhan Komuniti Progresif Kuching (PKPK) and the Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA), with International Marketing Management Sdn Bhd as the main sponsor.

Building on the success of the inaugural event earlier this year, organising chairman Ryan Jee said Pet Walk 2.0 aims to attract between 1,200 and 1,500 participants, including over 150 pets.

“This event will be our iconic event in the coming years, and to improve the participation from the public we added another category, which is 5-km.

“For this year’s edition we only held it for the 3-km category, and based on feedback from our participants, they said it’s too short – that’s why we added the new 5-km category,” Jee told a press conference yesterday.

Beyond being a fun community sporting activity, Pet Walk 2.0 also serves as an awareness platform for public health and animal welfare.

SSPCA president and Pet Walk 2.0 advisor Datin Dona Drury-Wee said the event encourages both responsible pet ownership and a healthy, active lifestyle for pets and their owners.

“This is a way of getting people out because as a responsible pet owner, you should be exercising with your animal – so it helps to make sure both of you (owners and pets) get healthy at the same time,” she said.

Dona also emphasised that the walk helps raise rabies awareness, reminding the public of the importance of vaccinating pets to safeguard both animal and human health.

She advised the public to seek immediate medical attention for any animal bite or scratch, regardless of its severity, and to avoid touching dead animals, as rabies transmission remains a risk.

All registered dogs participating in the walk must have valid rabies vaccination records, she added.

The event will also feature engaging side activities, including the ‘Top 10 Most Creative Pets and Owners Photo’ contest, a lucky draw, and professional photographers to capture the day’s highlights.

Registration for Pet Walk 2.0 is now open, with early bird promotions available until this Nov 15.

For registration and updates, visit the SSPCA official Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/share/p/179LbqqUxg/ and scan the QR code at the poster for online registration.

Additional registration will also be available during the SSPCA Christmas Charity Bazaar this Dec 7 at the MBKS Foyer.