By Grace McGettigan
17th Jul 2019
17th Jul 2019
To celebrate 10 years of rescuing and rehoming dogs in Ireland, Dogs Trust will host its first-ever ‘Dogs Trustival’ – a family-friendly, dog-focused festival – at its rehoming centre in Dublin. Here’s everything you need to know
If you, like us, are obsessed with all things dogs, you’ll love Dogs Trust’s upcoming event – Dogs Trustival.
The family-friendly (and doggy-friendly) festival-style event marks 10 years since the charity opened its rehoming centre in Ireland.
Suzie Carley, the executive director of Dogs Trust said, “Over the last decade, we have worked tirelessly to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome as many dogs as possible. Since our work began, we have rehomed over 17,000 Irish dogs.
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heatstroke this summer
“To celebrate this monumental milestone, we wanted to create a special fun-filled event for our amazing supporters and all dog-lovers; showcasing the amazing work that we have achieved together and honouring all the beautiful lives we have changed for the better (dog and human) over the last ten years”.
Dogs Trustival
According to organisers, Dogs Trustival will be jam-packed with an array of entertainment, including ‘training displays’ with some of the most talented dogs at the centre.
There will also be a ‘Tailwaggers Walk’; a market full of doggie retail, exhibitions, and delicious street food vendors, plus a children’s ‘Education Corner’ with face-painting.
What’s more, attendees can make use of ‘Canine Agony Aunts’; a ‘Pup Up’ photo booth with Pawtrait; as well as a ‘Museum of Modern Bark’. Here, a host of well-known artists, including Off The Leash, Audrey Hamilton and Morgan will exhibit pieces of their artwork (which will then be raffled at the event).
Not only that, if anyone wants to bring their own dogs along*, there will be designated activity areas to let your dogs have fun and explore.
Andrea Hayes, Holly Carpenter and Maia Dunphy; taken by Fran Veale for Dogs Trust
The main tent
As with other summer festivals, there’s a main tent for all the biggest attractions.
Host for the day, TV presenter Andrea Hayes, will introduce top Irish band, Hudson Taylor (who featured some Dogs Trust residents in their recent music video Run with Me), as well as new Dublin band SARLOOS.
Other special entertainment acts will include a magician; a balloon modeller and live bubbles.
What’s more, the charity will give attendees the chance to share with the audience what their dog means to them, plus the impact their dog has had on their life. This activity will be judged by Irish model Holly Carpenter; TV presenter Maia Dunphy; and Dogs Trust’s head of operations, Karla Dunne.
When, where and tickets
Dogs Trustival takes place in the Dogs Trust rehoming centre in Finglas on Sunday, August 18 from 12 pm – 5 pm. Tickets are on sale now at dogstrust.ie.
*Organisers ask dog owners to note: Dogs are welcome, once he/she is well socialised, comfortable with other dogs, children and familiar with large crowds of people. As this is a public event, dog owners will need to also adhere to the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 and 1992.
Top photo: Unsplash; all other imagery: Dogs Trust Ireland
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