around fifty dogs gathered for the first Animal Walk in Lille

On the occasion of World Animal Day, the very first Animal Walk was organized this Friday, October 4 in Lille. An event which aimed to promote the place of pets in the city.

Huskies, Australian shepherds, Bernese mountain dogs… Around fifty dogs gathered this Friday, October 4 at the Citadel of Lille for the very first Animal Walk organized in the capital of Flanders, on the occasion of the world animal day.

A moment of sharing to allow dogs and their owners to meet new people.

“It’s always an opportunity to see other people, to socialize. And the weather was nice, the people are super nice. It was a good time,” declared a participant on the microphone of BFM Grand Lille.

The most dog-friendly city

A walk which also “shows that Lille is a pet-friendly city”, underlines another walker. Especially since Lille was voted the most dog-friendly city in France for the second year in a row by the 30 Million Friends association.

So this Animal March was primarily aimed at promoting the inclusion of animals in the city, at a time when one in two households in France has a pet. A point on which the Lille municipality is working a lot.

“There are around ten caniparks which, today, work very well. We have installed shelters for stray cats throughout the city, which allow us to protect them as best as possible. It’s a whole network of associations , of citizens, who pay attention”, explains Christelle Libert, elected to the city delegate for animal welfare.

The inclusion of animals in the city is also an important cause for host Christophe Beaugrand, sponsor of the Walk.

“Everyone should be able to share the city. There are cars, bikes, pedestrians… and there are also people walking their dogs. It’s the first time we’ve come to Lille, and it’s pleasure because Lille is a city that makes room for pets,” he rejoices.

Small downside all the same: the 30 Millions d’amis association regrets the lack of accessibility to animals on Lille public transport. Enough to leave the city room for improvement to perhaps be re-elected the most dog-friendly city for the third time next year.