The RSPCA is calling on animal lovers to honour beloved pets who have passed, by planning their own ‘Walk to Remember’ on National Pet Memorial Day (14 Sep) – as more than one quarter of owners admit struggling to memorialise a lost companion.
The special virtual event this Sunday (14 Sep) offers a meaningful way to celebrate the profound impact people’s pets have had on their lives, while raising funds to support the vital work of the RSPCA – who rehome thousands of animals to new homes every single year.
More than 2,500 participants have already pledged to walk this weekend from all corners of England and Wales.
Among those already signed up to take part is author, content creator and internet personality Jess Bolton of ‘Worried Whippet’ – who is walking in memory of her dogs Jess (pictured with Jess) and Otto.
‘Walk to Remember’ – a brand new virtual event for the charity, encourages animal lovers to plan their own walk to coincide with National Pet Memorial Day (Sunday, 14th September 2025) inviting loved ones to join them in memory of their beloved lost pets – whether they be a dog, cat, rat, lizard, or any other animal companion.
Pets are an integral part of British households, with the Pet Food Manufacturer’s Association survey in 2024 estimating that 17.2 million households (60%) own one of the UK’s 36 million pets.
And with six in ten UK households owning a pet, a survey carried out by the RSPCA found that a majority of people (99%) stated them to be ‘part of the family’ and 60.3% stated them to be ‘my best friend.’
But one in four people (26.2%) said they struggled to find a way to memorialise or mark the loss of their pet – and the RSPCA hopes ‘Walk to Remember’ can help.
Participants are encouraged to sign up, walk five miles, and pledge to raise £100 in honour of their pet. Upon signing up, an event pack including an RSPCA T-shirt will be provided to help with setting up the walk. Whether walking with loved ones, hosting for your local community or in peaceful solitude, participants can complete their memorial walk in any way they choose.
Jess Bolton, from Oxford, who is walking in memory of her dogs Jess and Otto (pictured right), shared her powerful motivation: “I lost my dogs, Jess and Otto, a few weeks apart last year, and was shocked by how all-consuming and isolating the grief felt.
“A year on from their deaths I still struggle sometimes. My world revolved around them and when they died the structure of my life fell apart. I was blindsided by it. I turned to Instagram to process the loss of my dogs and whenever I post about it people tell me the same thing: there’s no road map for this kind of grief.
“You’re not sure what to expect and the people around you often aren’t sure how best to support you or – worse – can’t see that you need support at all. Coming together as a community around events like Walk to Remember is an important way of showing people that they’re not on their own.”
Jess, who lives in Oxford content creator, author and podcaster and advocate for rescue dogs and people going through pet loss. She is the opposable thumbs behind social media platform Worried Whippet and the author of the book Worried Whippet, inspired by her late dog Jess.
She added: “I’ll be joining the RSPCA’s Walk to Remember and raising funds with my husband to dedicate a day to Jess and Otto’s memory and to remind people that you’re not going through this alone. Being lucky enough to share your life with a pet comes hand in hand with one day knowing the heartbreak of losing them.”
Participants can share their fundraising page to gather support, track their walk using Strava, and connect with others planning walks on a dedicated RSPCA Facebook Group, which provides a platform to share their pet’s story and share walk routes/ideas.
Olivia Williams, Mass Participation Manager at the RSPCA said: “Losing a pet is like losing a member of the family. The grief is real, yet many people feel they have to carry it quietly, unsupported. Walk to Remember is our response to this need for greater understanding and support – a gentle invitation to remember your pet, and to connect with others who understand.
“We’re delighted that many people have already signed up to take part and there’s still time for people to sign up to join in this weekend, wherever they live. Those who sign up will receive a welcome pack including an event flyer and tshirt, and those who raise just £1 will receive a personalised commemorative key ring. Anyone who raises more than £75 will receive an in memory travel mug too.
“All funds raised from the ‘Walk to Remember’ will go directly towards the rescue, rehabilitation, rehoming or release of thousands of animals that the RSPCA helps every year, so we hope to see many more people honour their beloved pets and create a tribute in their name.”
To sign up for the RSPCA’s ‘Walk to Remember’ and for more information, please visit www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/fundraise/trekking/walktoremember.
