IT cost about $600,000 to operate the Launceston RSPCA shelter last financial year, and manager Lorraine Hamilton says it is only getting more expensive.
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The animal welfare's annual nationwide fund-raiser, Million Paws Walk, is just three weeks away and Ms Hamilton is encouraging everyone with a pooch to join in on May 18.
There will be walks at Stanley, Ulverstone, St Helens, Launceston, Hobart and, for the first time, King Island.
Ms Hamilton said she was hoping for 1500 people to either walk the 1500-metre or five-kilometre trek in Launceston, starting from Inveresk's Old bike track.
"The funds will directly help us keep animals in the shelters across the state, to try to help us keep our heads above water," she said.
"Everything goes up. We have to pay vet bills and some of the local vets are very generous, but we often get animals that need surgeries or long-term care to get them up to adoption point.
"Often people don't want their money to be used in administration but we have to pay electricity bills, we have to pay for all the things we need for animals."
Ms Hamilton said there would be dog games, prizes and $30 microchipping from noon.
Anyone interested in volunteering in Launceston on the day can call 63328210.