An app that helps people become more fit, ensures dogs get their daily walks and benefits animal charities is running a special project through the end of November in select cities.
WoofTrax is a free app available on Google Play and the App Store. Essentially, it is used to record your daily dog walks. This also incentivizes dog owners to get out and walk, which is a good way to burn calories and stay in shape.
In fact, for those who are currently “between dogs,” app users can “walk” the WoofTrax virtual dog.
But one of the big appeals of the app is that each walk raises money for pet charities designated by users. Each walk can earn the equivalent of 10 pieces of kibble for the charity.
“That adds up,” said WoofTrax CEO Doug Hexter. “Ten walks can feed a small dog.”
In the Jacksonville area, the following charities are among those receiving WoofTrax donations: Akita Rescue Society of Florida, Ana’s Angles Inc., Animal Rescue Rangers of Florida Inc., First Coast No More Homeless Pets-Mandarin Adoption Center, Florida Service Dogs Inc., Friends of Jacksonville Animals Inc., G.R.E.A.T. Rescue of NE Florida, Jacksonville Humane Society, Papillon Pals Rescue Inc., Pet Rescue North Inc., Pit Sisters Inc. and The Old Dog House.
According to Hexter, if dog owners want donations to go to a charity not on the site, they simply have to contact the company and have it added.
“Any charity that’s a 501c(3) nonprofit supporting animals, we would certainly be happy to add them to WoofTrax,” he said.
The app is available nationwide and donates to about 9,000 charities.
“Across the United States, we’ve had almost a million downloads of WoofTrax, and we’ve got hundreds of thousands of walks every month,” Hexter said.
Donations are funded through sponsorship and advertising.
After Hurricane Ian struck South Florida, Hexter said he had heard from shelters where animals were displaced.
“We’re doing what we can to support that effort down there,” he said.
It inspired WoofTrax to launch its Autumn Challenge for select Florida cities.
From now through the end of November, every walk recorded by dog walkers in either Jacksonville, Miami or Tampa will earn a dollar for the selected animal charity.
To join the Autumn Challenge, download the WoofTrax app on your phone, enroll in WoofTrax and choose an animal charity, go to the Challenges tab at the bottom of the app and join the WoofTtrax Autumn Challenge. Then, start walking.
Learn more at wooftrax.com.
