A CHARITY dog walk is back for its fouth year.

The annual charitable event is calling for pet parents across Cumbria, and their canine companions, to join thousands of dogs and their families.

From Denmark, to Finland, France, Germany, Norway and Sweden, the event will raise vital funds for animal rescues. 

The dog walk marks the beginning of Agria’s support for English Heritage’s dog-friendly days out and owners can take part in a leisurely walk on Saturday, May 20 at Birdoswald Roman Fort, Hadrians Wall.   

As PETA reports, 100,000 dogs are estimated to be homeless in the UK.

Agria, a British pet insurer, is set to donate £5 for every dog that walks the walk around Cumbria's countryside, with an aim of raising much needed funds for a selection of animal charities, including Dogs First Animal Rescue. 

Vicki Wentworth, CEO at Agria Pet Insurance, said: “It’s always so heart-warming to see dog lovers across the country unite to help to make a difference to the lives of  animals in the care of rescues.

"We continue to see the cost of living crisis putting rescues under stress, so it’s never been more important to help to care for and rehome animals abandoned due to no fault of their own.

"Last year’s dog walk saw over 800 dogs in the UK, and over 18,000 across Europe, walked to raise funds of over £35,000 - and this year we have set our sights even higher.”  

Pat Heard from Dogs First Animal Rescue, said: “Our partnership with Agria is a fantastic boost to our funding and a great support to the people who have adopted from us.

"The money raised from the dog walk will help us to provide veterinary care for more animals that come to us neglected or injured, such as Phoenix a dog that has come to us covered in wounds, very underweight and in a shocking condition. The money raised will support ongoing care for dogs like Phoenix and without support like this we’d be unable to help the amount of animals we do.”  

Visit english-heritage.org.uk to pre-book tickets.

It is also possible to make a donation to Dogs First Animal Rescue on the day, but this is entirely optional.