Derry dogs invited to Spooky Paws Walk on the Walls

The Spooky Paws Walk the Walls event on Tuesday October 25 returns after a three year Covid enforced hiatus and will help raise funds for the work the Rainbow Centre do locally in rescuing cats and dogs and finding them new homes.

Fundraising team member Anna Hyndman from the Rainbow Centre said: “The walk originated off the back of the Pooches in the Park event which had a fancy dress element. We realised how much people love dressing their dogs up and we were delighted to bring it to an event as big as Derry Halloween.

“We hosted it four times up to 2019 and it went from strength to strength with whole families out dressed up together with their dogs and more and more people taking part. The detail and craftsmanship of some of the costumes is really impressive and it’s a great chance for people to meet up socially and share their experience of dog ownership.”

The Spooky Paws Walk the Walls event begins with registration outside the Guildhall at 7pm before setting off up Magazine Street and onto the walls for a full loop of the route that finishes back in Guildhall Square.

The centre has experienced unprecedented demands following a spike in pet ownership during the Covid pandemic and new pressures on owners from the cost of living crisis.

Anna said: “The volume of cats and dogs coming through the centre is at an all-time high. The cost of food and vet fees are all increasing and more and more people just don’t have the means to look after their pets. Our fundraising opportunities have become more limited so we are really grateful for any opportunity that will help us meet the demands the centre is currently experiencing.”

Registration costs £5 and extra donations can be made via sponsorship form available by emailing [email protected].

Europe’s biggest Halloween festival runs from October 28 – 31 and highlights include the Awakening the Walls trail, street entertainment from Spark and Saurus, the climactic fireworks display and the return of the Halloween Carnival parade.

You can access the full programme at derryhalloween.com and follow the event on social media at @derryhalloween.