A lack of volunteers and a clash of dates means dog lovers and their pooches will miss out on taking part in this year's Million Paws Walk.
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The event, which raises money for the RSPCA, was slated to be held at its usual venue - Endeavour Oval - on Sunday, May 19.
However, recently the Orange RSPCA branch discovered the venue had already been booked, and despite inquiries being made, an alternative venue was unable to be found.
Emus president Steve Fergus said as the RSPCA had only contacted the club a month before the event and the fields had already been booked by another community group,
"Emus has had a long-term association with the event and with appropriate notice we'd welcome them back next year."
Orange fundraising committee treasurer Gisela Deasey said the committee considered other venues but they didn't meet requirements and with only eight members in the aging committee there were not enough volunteers who could undertake the physical labour involved with the event.
Mrs Deasey said attendance and money raised at the event has also decreased in recent years.
"Five years ago it was worth while, last year we put so much work into it with very little return," Mrs Deasey said.
VIDEO: Participants at the Million Paws Walk at Endeavour Oval in 2018 ...
The cancellation has led to disappointment for some regular participants, such as Laura Howarth, who has attended the event for the past four years with her pug, Evie.
"I was thinking about it and thinking that it was odd that there was no advertisement for it because I knew it was coming up soon," Miss Howarth said.
"It's a bit sad really, it's a shame because it's a nice community event that you can get out to and take your friends and have a family day out."
VIDEO: Laura Howarth has taken Evie to the Million Paws Walk for four years ...
Miss Howarth said the annual walk was a great event for socialising dogs, and aside from taking part in the walk each year Miss Howarth said she also enjoyed the competitions and events that took place after the walk.
RSPCA northern volunteer manager Christine Caskie said Orange's RSPCA branch had several other fundraising events planned, including a movie night on May 31.
"It's important to note that the branch spent over $30,000 last year on community financial de-sexing assistance, and over $10,000 was spent supporting the shelter," she said.
- READ ALSO: GALLERY, VIDEO: Million Paws Walk in Orange
- READ ALSO: MEGA GALLERY: 2013 RSPCA Million Paws Walk
About 100 dogs of all shapes, sizes and breeds came together at Endeavour Oval for last year's event.
The Million Paws Walk will be held across NSW on May 19, and the closest events will be at Macquarie Rivers Park, Bathurst from 10am, and Short Street, Mudgee from 8am.
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