RSPCA’s Million Paws Walk will return to communities across Victoria in 2025 to raise vital funds for animals across Australia on Sunday, 25 May, however after more than 30 fantastic years, this year will be the last lap nationally for Million Paws Walk.

RSPCA Victoria CEO Dr Liz Walker explained the funds raised at every walk would help end animal cruelty, and this final walk will be one to remember.

“Everyone has such a fantastic time at Million Paws Walk, and we’re very excited to see all the amazing dogs with their families and friends again as we send the event off in style,” Dr Walker said.

“We appreciate some people may be disappointed to hear this will be the final lap for Million Paws Walk, however the sheer logistical effort involved in running events on this scale, continually increasing event costs, and the cost-of-living pressures on supporters, means the event is no longer able to provide what it once could – maximum funding to help end cruelty to animals.

“While this will be the final walk, the money raised will help us care for the thousands of animals coming into our shelter every year, including those rescued by our Inspectors.

“The cost of caring for the animals rescued by our Inspectorate is increasing every year, and your support is more vital than ever.”

More than 6,000 people and around 9,000 dogs are expected to participate in six Million Paws Walk events across Victoria this year and the RSPCA is looking forward to celebrating with its supporters and finding new opportunities for the public to help animals in need.

Locals interested in volunteering or businesses interested in running a vendor stall at this year’s Melbourne Million Paws Walk can register at MPW@rspcavic.org.au or 03 9224 2564.

Registrations for participants at Million Paws Walk are now open, with a ‘barking-mad’ discount of 60% available until 7 April.

Head to millionpawswalk.com.au to register for your local walk and start fundraising today!

The Melbourne Million Paws Walk will be at Pelican Lawn on Albert Park Lake on Sunday, 25 May. The event will start at 10:00 am, with the walk commencing at 12:00 pm and festivities concluding at 3:00 pm.

Agriculture Victoria have advised that from 7 February 2025 HomeSafeID is no longer licenced under the Domestic Animals Act 1994 to keep and maintain an animal (microchip) registry service for Victorian pet owners.

If your pet’s microchip was registered with HomeSafeID, Agriculture Victoria has information on their website on what you need to do now.

If you are unsure if your pet’s microchip was registered with HomeSafeID, you can visit petaddress.com.au, enter the microchip number and it will let you know which database it’s registered to.

Any questions regarding this matter can be directed to Agriculture Victoria by calling ph: 13 61 86.

Nine of Victoria’s animal shelters, led by RSPCA Victoria, have joined forces for ‘Mission Adoptable’ – a three-day adoption drive this weekend (21, 22, 23 February) to find nearly 600 animals their forever homes.

With adoption fees reduced to $50 for cats, kittens, dogs and puppies, and $20 for small pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs, the participating shelters hope plenty of Victorians find their new furry friend.

Speaking about ‘Mission Adoptable’, RSPCA Victoria’s Head of Operations, Tanya Drakopoulos said pressure on the state’s animal shelters has continued to rise in recent years.

“Between increasing operational costs, the cost-of-living crisis, and fewer reclaims of lost pets, many Victorian animal shelters are finding themselves at capacity more often than not,” Ms Drakopoulos said.

“When our shelters are full it puts a strain on our staff and volunteers, as they have less time to dedicate to each animal.

With more than 1,400 animals in participating shelters not yet ready for adoption, finding forever homes for animals that are ready, will create space for incoming animals that are in desperate need of care and rehoming.

“As part of Mission Adoptable we have animals of different ages and sizes ready and waiting, with shelter teams available to ensure each one is the perfect match for your home.”

While adoption fees will be drastically reduced, normal adoption procedures for each participating shelter will apply to ensure each animal is matched with the right family.

All animals available for adoption are desexed, vaccinated, and microchipped, saving new owners hundreds of dollars.

“We make sure that animals are health and behaviour-checked so that we can give every adoption the best possible chance of a successful match,” Dr Jessica Wilde, Director of Veterinary Services at The Lost Dogs’ Home said.

Animals bring so much joy to their owners, and with 1.4 million Victorian households owning a pet^[1], Mission Adoptable is an opportunity for more Victorians to find their perfect match this weekend, and welcome amazing animals into their lives.

Other important information:

Mission Adoptable adoption rates are only valid at the participating shelters listed below (NOT Petbarn stores):

• RSPCA Victoria (Burwood and Pearcedale)
• The Lost Dogs’ Home
• Bendigo Animal Relief Centre
• Shepparton Animal Shelter
• Australian Animal Protection Society
• Animal Aid
• Greyhound Adoption Program
• Geelong Animal Welfare Society
• Wat Djerring Animal Facility

Animals such as birds and horses are not included in Mission Adoptable.

Animals who are normally $20 or less to adopt, will remain at their usual lower price during this promotion.

To find out more and find a participating shelter near you visit: rspcavic.org/mission-adoptable

[1] https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/1000846/Victorian-Pet-Census_Report.pdf

The 2025 duck hunting season looks set to be the most devastating in recent memory with the largest bag limit since 2018, and a season length increased by more than 45% adding pressure to already declining bird numbers.

RSPCA Victoria is greatly concerned these factors, combined with the unacceptably high wounding rate, will lead to even greater suffering for our native ducks this year.

“Based on the Game Management Authority’s 2024 game bird harvest report^[1] we estimate between 23,500 and nearly 157,000 ducks would have been wounded and not killed outright last year, resulting in large-scale suffering,” Dr Walker said.

“With the bag limits and length of season increased this year, these figures will only rise.

“While the Victorian Government has introduced additional online theory-based training for new licence applicants, this fails to address unacceptably high wounding rates of up to 40%^[2] – our main animal welfare concern.

“At the very least the Game Management Authority should introduce shooting proficiency testing for new and existing hunters, with the purpose of reducing the wounding rate.”

Despite duck hunting being an activity only undertaken by 0.18% of the population^[3], the list of concerns continues to grow.

“We have the release of UNSW’s annual water bird survey, where they observed a nearly 50% decline in overall numbers^[4], with the abundance of all game species also found to be below their long-term averages^[5],” Dr Walker continued.

“Finally, with current outbreaks of Avian Influenza (bird flu), and the looming threat of the highly infectious H5N1 strain causing mass mortality events overseas for wild birds, we’re deeply concerned about the increase in hunting affecting the sustainability of our waterbird populations.”

States such as Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia all banned native bird hunting up to three decades ago with people still enjoying the great outdoors, and calls for a duck hunting ban in Victoria have grown louder every year, with independent research indicating two in three people across the state (66%) oppose it.

“RSPCA Victoria will continue to call for an end to duck hunting, but while it is still occurring in this state,  improved testing and training must be prioritised to reduce the unacceptably high rates of wounding,” Dr Walker said.

The Select Committee’s recommendation of a ban on native bird hunting was formed after consideration of extensive evidence including:

• the suffering caused to waterbirds through unavoidable wounding,
• longitudinal data indicating species decline that provides clear evidence that hunting is unsustainable, and
• the majority community support for an end to native bird hunting in this state

RSPCA is opposed to the recreational hunting of ducks and quail as it causes unnecessary injury, pain, suffering, distress or death to the animals involved.

For more information, visit RSPCA Knowledgebase here.

[1] https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/1087242/Game-Bird-Estimates-2024-Final-Artwork-WEB.pdf

[2] Game Management Authority (GMA)’s draft Waterfowl Wounding Reduction Action Plan

[3] According to GMA in 2024, 60% of 21,383 licensed duck hunters participated in the 2024 duck hunting season. This equates to 12,937 duck hunters, out of a population of 6.981 million in Victoria.

[4] https://www.unsw.edu.au/newsroom/news/2024/12/waterbird-numbers-down-almost-50-after-drier-2024#:~:text=The%20researchers%20spotted%20287%2C231%20birds,the%20survey%20has%20been%20running

[5] https://www.unsw.edu.au/content/dam/images/science/ces/2024-12-13-centre-for-ecosystem-science/Eastern-Australia_waterbird-aerial-survey_2024_Final.pdf