Secret Harbour man starts long walk with four-legged friend

Mr Davenport will walk along the beach from his old home in Secret Harbour to Augusta with his four-year-old dog Morrison to raise $2,000 towards food and necessary goods for the Dogs Refuge Home WA in Shenton Park, where he adopted Morrison as a puppy.

“It’s just about having a time with my best mate really,” Mr Davenport said.

“And if I change one person’s decision on the way that’s great.”

The pair will be walking the 320km barefoot, and they will be camping along the way. 

Mr Davenport aims to fish the trek, which would include part of the famous Cape to Cape trail, in two weeks.

He said they trained before starting the adventure on Wednesday by going for long walks along the beach, and hopes they build up their strength as they go.

With his challenging adventure, Mr Davenport also aims to raise awareness about the benefits of dog adoption and the horrors of puppy farming.

RSPCA defines puppy farms as intensive dog breeding facilities whose conditions fail to meet the dog’s needs, including extreme confinement, inadequate veterinary care, unhygienic living conditions and overcrowded housing. 

Dogs that have been used for breeding in the farms usually present behavioural and health problems associated with the living conditions and practices in the facilties.

Puppy farms do not only produce purebreds, but also mixed-breeds and crossbreds, making it very difficult to know when a puppy comes from a farm.

Mr Davenport will document his and Morrison’s adventures on his website www.saltydevenport.com and Facebook page Salty Devenport Photography. 

Donations for his cause can be made at https://startyourownfundraiser.everydayhero.com/au/salty-hair-sandy-paws