Pedigree's UK Dog Walk Relay

No longer the big sponsor of tomorrow's Crufts, pet food company Pedigree, (Mars,Masterfoods) this week launched its Dog Tag Team Relay, a sponsored 1,200 mile dog walking relay from Land's End to John O'Groats. Part of the Pedigree Adoption Drive, an expression of the company's focal shift from pedigree breeds to include 'all dogs', the two month long dog walk aims to raise funds to re-home rescue dogs.

Owners are walking their dogs over 246 individual sections along country roads and through Britains cities and towns. The first er 'dog leg' was walked in Cornwall on Sunday by actress Amanda Holden with her rescue dog Fudge

The Dog Tag Team is a chance for dogs to help other less fortunate dogs raise awareness of the issue of dog abandonment and promote the need for responsible dog ownership, says Pedigree.

Louise Barker at the National Animal Welfare Trust in Cornwall commented:

"Last year in this part of the country alone there were nearly four thousand dogs abandoned. The Pedigree Dog Tag Team Relay provides lots of opportunities for people to get involved, helping highlight the plight of these poor animals and raising money to help charities like ours, which is fantastic."

It is hoped that by the final dog leg on 1st May, The Dog Tag Team will have helped reach The Pedigree Adoption Drive's £600,000 target. The campaign also aims to dispel myths surrounding dog adoption and to promote responsible dog ownership.

Pedigree Adoption Drive Manager, Jane Bingham, said:

"The Pedigree Adoption Drive Dog Tag Team is a fantastic initiative. With around 100,000 dogs abandoned or stray in the UK every year, it's important that UK dog charities are given the help and support they need to ensure rescue dogs across the country find loving homes."