A YOUNG dog found
starving and abandoned in
the northern suburbs four
weeks ago may be among
the crowd lining up for
RSPCA’s Million Paws
Walk in Adelaide next
month – and he now has his
own fundraising page for
anyone who wants to sponsor
him.
Disney has more than doubled
his weight and is well
on the road to full physical
recovery, thanks to the loving
care of RSPCA South Australia
staff, volunteers and his
foster carer – care that is all
funded by donations.
The COVID-19 pandemic
forced the cancellation of the
charity’s main fundraising
event last year.
It returns on Sunday, May
16 to Victoria Park in the
city’s east parklands as well
as two regional locations,
Wallaroo and Port Pirie – and
the participation of rescued
dogs such as Disney drives
home what the event is about.
Funds raised from
event-ticket purchases and
donations will help RSPCA
South Australia rescue and
rehabilitate more abandoned
dogs such as Disney.
Named Disney by RSPCA
South Australia staff because
of the Mickey-Mouse embossed
collar he was wearing
when found, the nine-monthold
Staffordshire bull terrier
cross is lucky to be alive after
being left tethered in the rain
beside a park in Munno Para.
An early-morning walker
found him and – alarmed by
the animal’s emaciated state
– immediately contacted
RSPCA.
Following a public plea
for help in finding the person
responsible for abandoning
the dog, several people came
forward with information and
investigations are ongoing.
Meanwhile, Disney is
continuing to recover in the
home of his foster carer, Ben.
Having come into RSPCA
South Australia’s care weighing
just 9.1kg, he now is a
healthy18.5kg.
According to diehard
dog-lover Ben, Disney was
very hesitant when he first
brought the dog home, but
his other dog Billie – a female
Staffordshire bull terrier
cross – has helped him to
settle in.
“He was very friendly with
people but not so sure of other
dogs, so we’re taking it very
slowly with him as he regains
confidence,” Ben said.
“He and Billie are good
friends now and love to play
together and sleep together.
“Hopefully, if Disney continues
to feel better and calmer,
they’ll also be able to attend
the Million Paws Walk
together.”
Anyone wishing to support
the fundraiser but unable to
attend one of the three physical
walks can instead participate
in Walk This May, the
virtual challenge component
of Million Paws Walk.
Dog lovers from all over
Australia will unite to raise
funds to fight animal cruelty
by walking a minimum of 30
minutes a day with their fourlegged
friends.
SA and the Northern Territory
are the only states and
territories staging physical
walks this year, with the rest
of Australia holding virtual-
only challenges.