Bath Cats & Dogs Home’s annual Fun Day will be returning on August Bank Holiday Monday, with its dog show set to take centre stage at the Claverton Down-based rescue centre.
Four-legged fun will be the order of the day from 11am, when the gates will open for families and pet dogs to enjoy a host of games, displays, stalls and food.
The event’s much anticipated fun dog show will be getting tails wagging again this year, with visitors and their pets invited to vie for the crown of Best Rescue 2016.
Other categories include Prettiest Eyes, Golden Oldie, Waggiest Tail, Best Young Handler and Dog Judge Most Wants to Take Home.
Hopefuls can register for the fun dog show from 11am on Monday 29th August, or online beforehand, at bcdh.org.uk/funday. The first class will start at 11.45am.
Also on offer next Monday includes a host of games, from football penalty shootouts and bouncy castles, to bungee runs, face painting and miniature golf.
Live entertainment will also be provided, by the Showgirl Academy, Pumped!, City of Bath Rhythmic Gymnastics Display Squad, Somerset Morris Dancers, balloon modellers and magicians.
The Avon Fire & Rescue crew will also be offering fire engine tours.
Food stalls will range from barbecues to homemade cakes, and there will be a fully stocked bar.
Last year’s Bath Cats and Dogs Home Fun Day attracted 1,800 visitors, providing an opportunity for people interested in adopting an animal to find out more and meet rescue cats and dogs looking for new homes.
“This event has been running since 1975 and this year, we’re hoping to attract a record number of people and dogs,” said Simon Lynn, head of animal operations.
“It was fantastic to see so many of our rehomed rescue dogs return with their owners last year.
“All too often, animals arrive here distressed and neglected, so the Fun Day is always a heart-warming time for our hardworking animal carers and behaviour teams.”
Bath Cats and Dogs Home Fun Day raised more than £17,000 in 2015. All funds raised this year will once again go towards the rescue centre’s £1.3 million annual running costs.
As one of the busiest adoption centres in the South West, it took in more than 1,300 animals from across Bath, Somerset and Wiltshire in 2015 – reuniting 212 strays with their owners and finding new loving homes for 1,348 animals.
Simon added: “At the heart of every Fun Day is the hope that more people will decide to adopt a pet.
“The team are here to talk with people who need more information, and our animal behaviourists will also be on hand to offer a fountain of knowledge of tips.”
The main sponsor for the 2016 Bath Cats and Dogs Home Fun Day is Bath Signs.
Free parking will be available at Bath University. Entrance tickets for adults cost £4.50, children – £2 (free for under 5s) and family tickets, £11.
For more event information and details on the fun dog show, visit bcdh.org.uk/funday.
