IT TAKES more than a pandemic to stop Janet Thomas and her trusty Staffy cross Jack from walking across Australia in aid of animal welfare.
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Janet Thomas, founder and chief executive of Animal Aid Abroad, is walking from Melbourne to Perth, a distance of 4000 kilometres.
She is making the journey to raise funds and awareness for abused working animals in developing countries.
Janet, who is self-funding the walk, aims to raise $250,000 for 18 projects in 12 nations, including the construction of an animal shelter in Mannar, Sri Lanka.
To date, she has raised $100,000
When The Senior last heard from Janet she was in SA in the Poochera/Ceduna area.
It is anticipated she will be crossing into WA in late August.
Due to the lockdown requirements of Covid-19 it has been difficult to keep to the schedule.
In May, Janet and Jack were waylaid in Warrnambool due to restrictions,
While there, they tracked their walks in and around the area to stockpile kilometres towards the total distance of the transcontinental trek.
When rules were eased the team used some of the kilometres accrued and drove to the border with SA, where restrictions were more relaxed.
From there, the walk resumed in earnest.
But Janet has walked long distances daily during the quarantined period to make up for lost time.
Four thousand kilometres is a little beyond Jack's capabilities, so her little buddy only walks in the cool of the mornings and afternoons and never on busy roads.
When not with Janet, he rides with the support crew in their vehicle, where his water, snacks and bed are available any time he wants to take a break.
Janet has ample back-up, too!
For more on the walk route, partner projects and AAA, go to www.animalaidabroad.org/walk-across-aus or www.facebook.com/AnimalAidAbroad
To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/walking-for-working-animals
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