Animal lovers across England and Wales are being encouraged to take part in a virtual walking event this weekend to honour the memory of beloved pets.
The RSPCA’s Walk to Remember will take place on Sunday 14 September to coincide with National Pet Memorial Day. The charity hopes the event will offer a meaningful way for people to celebrate the impact of their pets while raising funds to support its animal welfare work.
More than 2,500 participants have already pledged to walk five miles in memory of a lost companion, with many planning routes through local parks, nature trails or neighbourhoods.
The RSPCA says pets are an integral part of British households, with a 2024 survey by the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association estimating that 60% of homes own one of the UK’s 36 million pets.
A separate survey by the charity found that 99% of owners consider their pets “part of the family”, while 60.3% described them as “my best friend”. However, 26.2% said they struggled to find a way to memorialise their pet after its death.
Participants are invited to raise £100 in honour of their pet and will receive an event pack including an RSPCA T-shirt. Walkers can complete their route alone or with others, and are encouraged to share their stories and fundraising pages via a dedicated Facebook group.
For more information or to sign up, visit: www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/fundraise/trekking/walktoremember