Take a walk and help the animals!

ResQwalk is a free mobile app that lets you raise money and resources for your favorite animal welfare organization, and all you have to do is walk!

Throughout the year, we'll announce a ResQpool of cash and other helpful resources that have been provided by some generous corporate sponsors. You can help your chosen organization earn a portion of this pool by downloading ResQwalk and hitting the pavement! Download it today and start walking for the animals.

ResQwalk Screen Examples

ResQwalk FAQs

Important ResQwalk Update:

After careful analysis and feedback from participants, we have decided to discontinue the ResQwalk app on September 30, 2023. Thank you so much for supporting homeless pets in your community and around the country by logging your miles.

Best Friends will continue to support our United States-based network partners by providing more flexible, innovative fundraising opportunities that will create more consistent revenue, maximize lifesaving, and help make the United States no-kill by 2025.

Until September 30, 2023, the ResQwalk app will continue functioning as normal with a few small changes. We will stop accepting new network partner organizations on the app on August 1, 2023. Each network partner that has earned $5 or more this quarter will be paid by July 31. After September 30, any payouts owed (even those who earned $5 or less) will be sent by November 1, 2023. For iOS users, the ResQwalk app will continue to be available for download through September 30th. For Android users, the app will not be available to download on phones using Android 13. After August 31, ResQwalk will only be available to download and operate on phones running Android 4.1 to 8.

General questions

Is ResQwalk still available for both iOS and Android?
ResQwalk is available for both iOS and Android. For iOS users, the ResQwalk app will continue to be available for download through September 30th. For Android users, the app is not available to download on phones using Android 13. After August 31, ResQwalk will only be available for download and will only work on phones running Android 4.1 through 8.

When will ResQwalk stop tracking my walks?
The ResQwalk app will be functional through September 30th. After September 30th, the app will not allow you to record a walk.

Why are you discontinuing the app?
When we were gifted the ResQwalk app, we were hoping it would be a great way for organizations to raise important lifesaving funds. As time has progressed, goals have updated, and different operating systems are requiring extensive updates to keep the app running, we’ve realized that ResQwalk is no longer able to serve its purpose.

Does it cost anything to use ResQwalk?
No. ResQwalk is free to use for both you and the animal welfare organizations we support.

How does it work?
Throughout the year, we'll announce a ResQpool of cash and other resources provided by generous corporate sponsors. To help earn money for your favorite organization, simply download the app, select your favorite ResQwalk partner to support and press "Start."

Is ResQwalk limited to walking?
No. You can participate in any distance-related activity - walking, running or biking -that can be measured by GPS and involves a speed of less than 14 miles per hour.

Is there a limit to how many miles I can log each day?
Yes. There is a limit of 30 miles per day, which is just enough to run a marathon and take a walk to stretch out your muscles afterward.

How is the monthly ResQpool funded?
ResQpool is funded by some generous corporate sponsors, for whom we are very grateful!

How is the monthly ResQpool divided up among the ResQpartners?
Every quarter, the ResQpool is proportionally distributed to the ResQwalk partners based on miles walked on their behalf. For example, let's say everyone using ResQpool walked a total of 1,000 miles in one month. Charity A logs in 800 miles and Charity B logs in 200 miles. For that month, Charity A will receive 80 percent of the ResQpool while Charity B will receive 20 percent.

Can my ResQwalk benefit multiple ResQpartners simultaneously?
You can follow multiple ResQwalk partners, but you can only ResQwalk for one at a time. However, you can change who you're benefiting by selecting from the "Start ResQwalk" screen.

How do I change to a new ResQpartner beneficiary?

You can change back to an eligible partner by going to the "Start Walk" screen, clicking on the rescue currently listed as receiving funds. This will bring up a page to allow you to search for other rescues. Search for a new rescue, click follow, then designate them on the Start Walk screen.

Is ResQwalk limited to shelters and other organizations that rescue animals?
Yes. In fact, all ResQwalk participating organizations are required to be registered 501(c)3 or charity animal welfare organizations that meet the qualifications to be a Best Friends Network partner.

How does the Goal feature work?
The app provides you with the option to create weekly distance goals based on your personal fitness objectives.

I would like to email someone at ResQwalk and ask a specific question. Is that possible?
Absolutely! Email resqwalk@bestfriends.org and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Technical questions

Known issue
Some Android devices (Samsung in particular) have "adaptive battery" settings and "sleep" settings running in the background that can interfere with apps like ResQwalk. Please review the user settings provided by https://dontkillmyapp.com/samsung for a workaround.

How does the app know how far I've gone?
The app uses GPS to track your movement.

The app doesn't seem to be tracking my distance correctly. What can I do?
Please wait to press "Start Walk" until you are outside of your house or apartment. GPS works best when there are minimal obstructions. Also, if you are an iOS user, make sure "Background App Refresh" is turned on.

Some Android devices (Samsung in particular) have "adaptive battery" settings and "sleep" settings running in the background that can interfere with apps like ResQwalk and its ability to track your walks accurately. Please review the user settings provided by https://dontkillmyapp.com/samsung for a workaround.

On the map screen, a portion of my ResQwalk route line is grey. Why is that?
Any distance traveled at a speed greater than 14 miles per hour will appear grey because it won't count toward your total distance.

In the Activity section of My Profile, some of my ResQwalks are highlighted in green. Why?
If you don't choose to share your ResQwalk with followers, the app will automatically record your distance to the Activity section of your profile. These posts are highlighted in green, and the purpose is to provide you with an accurate log of your activity. These posts will only be visible to you.

Does GPS consume the data on my phone?
No. GPS does not use data. Other app features, such as uploading a photo, do use data. If you are concerned about your data usage, please be sure to connect to Wi-Fi when you're uploading photos or interacting with features such as the News Feed and Leaderboard.

Is ResQwalk compatible with stationary bikes or treadmills?
No, ResQwalk distance is tracked by GPS location, not steps taken.

Will ResQwalk work if I'm walking inside (in a mall, for example)?
Generally speaking, no. That being said, if your phone shows a "good" GPS signal, then yes, the app will work.

Can I link my Fitbit, Apple Watch or other wearable device to ResQwalk?
No, ResQwalk does not sync with any other applications.

What does it mean to have a private profile?
If you set your profile to "private," other users will not be able to search for your name or see your activity.

If I have a public profile, does that mean people will be able to see my location?
No. We will never share your location.

Can I sync my email, Facebook and Twitter accounts to my ResQwalk account?
No. To keep your stats accurate, please log in using the same method each time.

I just went on a ResQwalk and my stats aren't updating. What do I do?
We update user stats and the leaderboards hourly. If you don't see your stats immediately, check back later.

Questions about becoming a ResQwalk partner

What are the requirements for an organization to be a ResQwalk partner?

The group must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal welfare organization.
The group must be a Best Friends Network partner.
Network partners must have completed an online form to be added to the ResQwalk app.

How can I sign up my animal welfare organization?
We have stopped accepting new organizations on the ResQwalk app as of July 31, 2023.

How do we collect the money contributed to our animal welfare organization?
Update July 2023: Each network partner that has earned $5 or more this quarter will be paid by July 31. After September 30, any payouts owed (even those who earned $5 or less) will be sent by November 1, 2023.