FAQs
The Walk
When is it?
Sunday 9 November.
The event officially begins at 9.00am, with free barista-made coffee and hot beverages available from 8.30am - just in case you need an early Sunday morning perk-me up.
The walk around Karkarook Lake kicks off at 10:30am, and will wrap up by around 12:00pm.
After the walk, the fun continues with dog competitions and raffle prizes being drawn.
The event is set to officially conclude at 2pm.
Where is it, and how do I get there?
The walk will take place at the beautiful Karkarook Park, located opposite Bunnings on Warrigal Road in Heatherton, Victoria. Entry is via Fairchild Street.
By Car: Free parking is available in 3 car parks throughout the park. Enter via Fairchild Street which is accessed from Warrigal Road. There is parking onsite, and overflow parking is available across the road at Bunnings.
Public transport: Bus number 903, which travels down Warrigal Road, stops at the end of Fairchild Street. There is an entrance to the park at this corner and a path, approximately 250 metres, leading to the Information Centre and our meeting point is just beyond that.
How long is the walk, and what level of physical fitness do I need?
The walk is rated as easy. You'll be following sealed or gravel paths on mostly flat surfaces while taking in views of Karkarook Lake, tranquil ponds and a variety of bird life.
- Lap 1: An 2 km circuit of Lake Karkarook on the Lake Trail, approximately 40 mins at a moderate pace.
- Lap 2 (optional): A 2.5 km walk that combines the Lake Trail around Lake Karkarook and part of the Wetland Trail past the ponds of the Wetlands, approximately 50 minutes at a moderate pace.
To complete the whole walk including two laps which is around 4.5 km, please allow 1.5 hours. A moderate level of fitness is required.
What if it rains?
Registration & Ticketing
What is included in my ticket?
- Free barista made hot beverages (8.30-10.30am).
- Ability to enter one of our pawsome doggo competitions.
- Free facepainting.
- Free access to our PAWtraits photobooth.
- A goodie bag and free sampling on the day.
Every ticket contributes to the vital work of keeping vulnerable people and their pets together.
Can I purchase a ticket on the day?
Should tickets still be available, there will be the capacity to purchase them on the day.
What is the running order of the day?
- 8.30am - Coffee Carts open for free hot beverages (until 10.30am).
- 9.00am - Event commences
- Sausage sizzle
- Facepainting
- Photo booth
- Merchandise sales
- 10.15am - Official opening by hosts, Myf Warhurst and Yvonne Hong.
- 10.30am - Walk begins around Karkarook Lake.
- 12.30pm - Competitions take place (pre-registered entrants only) and raffles drawn.
- 2.00pm - Event concludes.
How many dog tickets are available?
There will be 200 dog tickets available and every ticket comes with a dashing Pets Of The Homeless doggie bandana!
Are there any special requirements for my dog/s to attend?
All dogs that participate in the Best Friends Walk must be fully vaccinated, socialised and remain on their lead at all times please, to ensure safety for themselves and others.
Can I request a refund if I'm no longer able to attend?
General
Who will host the event?
The event will be officially emceed by Australian radio and TV personality, Myf Warhurst!
Myf has been a proud ambassador for Pets Of The Homeless since 2019 and is looking forward to joining our founder and CEO, Yvonne Hong, in hosting our Best Friends Walk.
What food and drink will be available?
- A sausage sizzle offering both meat and vegan sausages.
- Various sweet and baked treats.
- Cold drinks.
What competitions can I enter with my dog?
There will be three competitions available to enter:
- Doggie Doppleganger (do you look like your furry best mate?)
- Best Dressed Doggie Diva (style icons take note!)
- Best Trick (will it be a solo act or a dazzling duo?)
As there are only 10 entrants permitted per category, we will open up our competitions for registration prior to the event day.
Entry will be free and allocated on a first served basis. Further details will be communicated over the coming weeks.
Will merchandise be available to purchase on the day?
This includes our limited edition 10th Anniversary hoodies and t-shirts, along with our baseball caps and stationery items.
Cash and card accepted.
Can I have a stall on the day?
Can I bring my cat or other pets along?
As much as we'd love to see your favourite pet/s there, in the interest of animal welfare and safety, this is a strictly dog-only event.
Fundraising
Do I need to fundraise?
Although fundraising is not compulsory we do strongly encourage it. As part of your sign up process, you will get a fundraising page populated and you will nominate your fundraising target which you will then be able to share as part of your profile with your communities.
Your friends and family will be able to donate straight to your profile. We encourage you to share this with as many people as you can.
Can I create a Facebook Fundraiser?
You can set up a Facebook Fundraiser that is linked to your participant profile and dashboard. If you follow the Facebook Fundraiser link from your dashboard you will be able to set it up.
What other things can I do to raise money?
You could create a team and choose a fundraising target as a group so that you're doing it together. You can also host a fundraising event where the attendees can donate to your fundraising page.
What do I get for fundraising? Do I win a prize if I'm the top fundraiser?
Absolutely! Hit $200 and you’ll unlock a limited-edition Pets Of The Homeless 10th Anniversary t-shirt* (because who doesn’t love free merch?). Smash through to $500 and you’ll score a cosy hoodie* too. And if you’re the ultimate fundraising champ? You’ll take home a paw-some prize pack from our mates at Dog Yog!
*While stocks last
Where do the funds raised go?
All funds that you raise for the Best Friends Walk go to Pets Of The Homeless to help keep vulnerable people and pets together during times of hardship.
From the funds you raise online, to the raffle tickets and merchandise you buy on the day, all makes a difference so that we can continue to provide pet food and supplies, veterinary care and safe shelter for those doing it tough.
Are donations tax-deductible? What about tickets?
All donations over $2 are tax-deductible, however ticket fees are not. You'll automatically receive a receipt for your tax-deductible donations via email.
Teams
Can our team sign up to do the walk together?
Yes, you can have multiple people doing the walk together from the one team but all fundraising goes towards the same target.
Do we set an individual or team fundraising target?
If you are doing the walk as part of a team, you should fundraise as a team and towards an overarching team target.
How do I create a team?
When you sign up, the third step will ask you to search for your team if they are pre-existing and already set up. Otherwise you can create your team, set your fundraising goal and then share with your team mates to get otheres signed up.
Do we still get a reward if we hit the fundraising target as a team?
No, the rewards are given to individuals, not teams. To receive the limited-edition merchandise, each fundraiser must personally reach the target of $200 (or $500 for the higher tier). Even if your team as a whole hits the goal, only the individuals who meet their own target will receive the reward.
