Pooches on NZ-long walkies to highlight animal welfare

Stephen Brassett and Jake with their tiny home on wheels. Photo/John Stone

Two small pooches are taking a giant step for dogkind by walking New Zealand with their man to raise awareness about animal welfare.

Stephen Brassett, his pug-cross Jake and chihuahua-cross Piccolo began their "Longest Walk" in Invercargill in January with the aim of visiting every SPCA and animal welfare centre in the country.

Mr Brassett and his four-legged companions stayed at Ruakaka for two nights with Ruakaka Rescue Dog founder Jax Boyd.

He will visit Whangarei SPCA today before heading further north.

As he makes the journey, Mr Brassett is towing a 100kg trailer which he and the dogs sleep in and which tiny 12-year old Piccolo hitches a ride on for much of the time.

"Jake is all for the adventure, he's much more outgoing. Piccolo needs cuddles and somewhere to snuggle and feel safe."

The modified bicycle trailer feels like a 15kg backpack on the flat, and more like 150kg when he's going uphill, he said. It can hold enough food for 10 days, enough dog food for 20 days and 11 litres of water.

Mr Brassett has worked as a dog trainer and in animal shelters in New Zealand and Australia. Both 6-year old Jake and the senior Piccolo were rescued dogs he brought home to New Zealand. He planned and saved for his awareness-raising walk for the best part of a year.

"I decided I wanted to do something more proactive."

Rather than sticking to State Highway One's determined stride through New Zealand, Mr Brassett's route has zig-zagged back and forth across the regions.

While the awareness raising is tagged to a Givealittle page, many people have made impromptu donations when coming across the little travelling caravan.

"I make it very clear they have to specify whether they're giving me money to help cover my Longest Walk costs or to go directly to animal welfare," Mr Brassett said.

If the latter, the funds go to the nearest SPCA or animal shelter.

As for perils along the way, there have been very few considering nearly nine months on the road.

"I fell off a cliff once, on the West Coast heading from Greymouth to Westport."

A strong gust of wind on a high, steeply cambered road was to blame for that incident, but little damage was done.

"Traffic has been considerate, and I try to be the same," Mr Brassett said.

Weather is just weather, and travelling on foot through winter hasn't had a big impact, said the man who takes it all in his stride.

"It rains, it stops, it gets hot, it gets cold, it hasn't had a lot of effect."

Visit facebook.com/longestwalknz/ or givealittle.co.nz/cause/thelongestwalknz.