FAQs - March Dog Walking Challenge
Walk for Ireland’s abandoned dogs in March!!
The March Dog Walking Challenge is a walking challenge in aid of Dogs Trust Ireland! Dog lovers who sign up will aim to walk more during the month with their four legged friends. Everyone who signs up will be sent a doggy bandana(s) for their furry walking partner(s). We ask for those taking part to set up a fundraising page online, through Facebook or Just Giving so they can ask their friends and family to sponsor their challenge.
Everyone taking part can stay up to date with their fellow challengers' progress on the March Dog Walking Challenge Facebook group.
How do I register for the March Dog Walking Challenge?
Take these 3 steps to get involved!
1) Register for your doggy bandana here.
2) Create your Facebook Fundraiser - will pop up after you register for your pack.
3) Set your own goal and get ready to walk more next month!
If you would prefer to fundraising through Just Giving, please follow this link. You will be able register for your bandana there instead too!
How far do I have to walk?
That’s the beauty of this challenge, you get to decide your own goal. You and your four-legged walking partner set the pace and the distance based on what suits you both.
Do I have to walk a dog to take part in the Challenge?
All dog-owners and dog-lovers welcome! You can take part in this challenge with or without a dog!
Can my puppy take part in the March Dog Walking Challenge?
Puppies have different exercise requirements to adult dogs. While puppies are growing, developing strength, stamina and general fitness, it’s important to ensure they’re avoiding over-exertion, always benefitting from activity and enjoying it. Please seek advice from your vet if you are unsure how much exercise your puppy needs.
How do I keep track of how much I have walked?
The best way is to use your smart phone! If you have an iPhone or Samsung there will be a preinstalled ‘Health’ App that tracks your daily steps and distance walked. Other apps you can use are: Strava, Runkeeper, Map My Walk and connect them to your fundraising page. We will send you a paper tracker too so you can tot up your daily walks!
I took part in a previous Dogs Trust challenge - do I still have to register?
Welcome back and thank you so much for taking part again! It is great to have you onboard. We would ask that you register to take part again, so we know how many amazing dog lovers are taking part.
How do I prove that I have done the challenge?
Post pictures and updates on your social media with your daily walks so your family and friends who have sponsored you can see that you’re committed! For safety reasons, it is best not to share your walking routes - a note about your kms achieved is perfect! Everyone who completes the challenge will be sent a certificate of completion and a Dog Walking Challenge dog tag to place on your dog’s collar, so they can proudly show they completed the challenge and helped dogs find forever homes as wonderful as theirs.
You can use this image to track your walks. Just pop an emoji over the number as you complete each day:
When will I get my sponsorship pack and bandana?
We will be sending the packs weekly so it could take up to 10 days to be posted to you. Don't worry if it doesn't come right away.
What is in the sponsorship pack?
- A bandana(s) for your dog if you’re walking with them
- A printed sponsorship card.
- An information booklet with tips, FAQ’s and a daily tracker!
How do me and my dog stay safe?
Best not to share screenshots of your walking routes on social media. You can share updates on how many walks you do instead. We also advise you adhere to government guidelines that may be in place at the time. Please also see our dog theft safety advice blog here.
How do I set up a Facebook fundraiser?
Visit the March Dog Walking Challenge Facebook Group and follow the simple steps at the top of the page. Fill in the form and hit 'submit'. This will take just a minute and you will be able to register for your free bandana and your online fundraising page. Your fundraising page will have the official March Dog Walking Challenge photo and you will be able to edit it as you wish. Click 'Share' to send it to your friends and family who want to support your challenge.
How do I set up a Just Giving fundraiser?
If you would prefer to fundraising through Just Giving, just follow the simple steps here. You will be able register for your bandana there instead too! If you want to share your fundraising page with friends and family, just follow this link to bring you back to your personal fundraiser page.
Do I have to set up an online fundraiser?
To register for your bandana and fundraising pack, we ask all challengers to fill in the form provided on Facebook and Just Giving. At registration, you can request a printed sponsorship card though so if you would rather fundraise offline, you can use that instead. If you do not want to fundraise at all, we would appreciate a donation to help cover the cost of the bandana. Thank you so much.
How do get my raised funds to Dogs Trust?
If you have set up a Facebook or Just Giving fundraiser then you don’t need to do anything. Your donations will automatically be sent to Dogs Trust.
If you have raised money via a sponsorship card then you can:
1. Donate raised funds online here.
2. Add them to your Facebook or Just Giving Fundraiser!
3. Phone in your donation by calling 01-879 1000 (option 3) and use your credit or debit card.
4. Post in a bank draft, cheque or postal order to Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre, Ashbourne Road, Finglas, Dublin 11, D11 K003
5. Lodge the funds directly to our bank account. See details below:
Reference: Walking & Your Name
Bank Name: AIB, Main Street, Finglas
Account Name: Dogs Trust Limited
Account Number: 271 202 65
Sort Code: 93-21-32
IBAN: IE90 AIBK 9321 3227 120265
BIC/SWIFT: AIBKIE2D
How will the money I have raised help Dogs Trust?
Taking part in events such as the March Dog Walking Challenge raise vital funds which help stray and abandoned dogs across Ireland. Since opening our Rehoming Centre in 2009, dog lovers like you have rescued and rehomed over 21,000 dogs. We rely on public support to fund our work and we are entirely reliant on the generosity of amazing people like you to continue our life-saving work. Every single donation raised provides each dog that comes into our care with nutritious food, veterinary treatment, a microchip, vaccinations and most importantly, love and cuddles from our Canine Carers and a forever home.
My friend wants to take part in the Dogs Trust 99k for Canines challenge with me.
Great! The more the waggier! We ask each adult challenger to sign up individually through the Facebook or Just Giving. If children want to take part with adults, please email [email protected] and we will include extra /sponsorship cards for them.