Across Victoria the walk was a huge success and raised more than $250,000 for the RSPCA's many animal welfare programs.

Albert Park Lake had the highest turnout, attracting more than 16,000 people and 10,000 dogs, along with a pig, rabbit, ferret and a rat (who hitched a ride in its owner's backpack).

The event included a celebrity pet challenge featuring television personality Suzie Wilks and fashion designer Peter Alexander.

There were also demonstrations from the Casterton Kelpie Association, dog agility and obedience demonstrations and a pig entry in the cutest pet competition.

The RSPCA had hoped the event this year would set a Guinness World Record in Victoria for the most dogs walked at one time; however, it fell slightly short.

There were more than enough dogs to break the record, but not quite enough participants signed up for the world record attempt on the day, a spokeswoman for the RSPCA said.

"We're hoping that we'll be able to correct that next year.''

The Million Paws Walk raises much-needed funds for the RSPCA's programs and is also a great event to encourage pet owners to walk their dogs.

RSPCA events and communications manager Sarah Somers said a survey of veterinarians across Australia found that 41per cent of dogs were overweight or obese.

In a bid to encourage more people to walk their pets, Whereis.com has joined with the RSPCA this year to help people find dog-friendly parks.

Whereis.com general manager

Chris Smith says that by making it easy for people to find local parks to walk their dog, the organisation "hoped to see more four-legged friends and owners getting the exercise they need''.

"Australians are great believers in a dog being man's best friend and this is why RSPCA's.

To find a dog-friendly park near you, log onto Whereis.com and type in `parks' in the first `find' field and your suburb in the third field.

A list of parks will appear on the right-hand side, and a paws icon at the bottom of the screen with 'dog walks'.

Simply click onto this icon and the map of your choice will show if there are any dog-friendly parks on the right-hand side and pinpoint these on the map.

For information on the Million Paws Walk, visit www.millionpawswalk.com.au and for whereis, visit www.whereis.com