Doggie ride reaps rewards for Napier SPCA

For Jason Wawatai and Baxter last Sunday was a great day for a ride and a spot of fundraising with the Napier SPCA benefitting. Photo / Paul Taylor

A motorcycling day out with their doggies aboard last Sunday resulted in a group of riders raising $1537 for the Napier SPCA.

The event, which saw the 10 riders and nine dogs set out from the SPCA's Pandora headquarters before calling at Taradale, West Quay, the Sunday Market and a final photo stop in the CBD, was the first of what organiser Jason Wawatai of Napier said would become an annual event.

"Oh yes, we are going to build on this one," Mr Wawatai said.

"There are a lot of other people around the country who take their dogs out with them on their bikes and they'll want to come and be part of this."

There were a lot of admiring bystanders and fellow motorists along the way, he said.

When the riders stopped near a roundabout, cars were slowing and people were handing money out the window to them.

Mr Wawatai said the riders who took part in the inaugural fundraiser for the Napier SPCA couldn't wait to be part of the next one.

"The SPCA do such a good job and we wanted to do something for them."

That "something" would simply grow, he said.

A good number of people brought their dogs along to be photographed with the bikes during the photo opportunity at the conclusion of the ride.

Mr Wawatai said the dogs all loved the attention, but by the mid-afternoon some had begun to feel the heat a little.

"It was a long day for them but they took it all in."