North Gong Dog Day is returning to help home more pets in an exciting way. Photos: Pound Paws.
A pup-friendly day at the pub hopes to connect rescue dogs with their potential fur-ever families and promote responsible pet ownership when it returns to Wollongong this weekend, with the annual animal extravaganza set to create a fun day for those with two legs or four.
Do you want a date with a loveable dingo? How about a Pilates session with your pup?
North Gong Dog Day, hosted by Pound Paws, returns for another year to bring unique and fun experiences for the whole family while also creating important connections for local pets looking for a home.
“People always leave the day feeling really happy and it’s just really a feel-good event and that will hopefully transpire into people recognising that it’s great to be a responsible pet owner and it’s a great decision to choose to adopt instead of buying a pet,” Pound Paws founder Brittany Bloomer said.
“We want to raise awareness in a really fun and approachable way.
“We’ve found this approach to be really effective as it’s family-friendly, everyone’s welcome to come along, it’s free, it’s enjoyable, there’s fun activities whilst also sharing really important educational messages as well.”
The event at North Gong Hotel boasts many successful adoption stories, such as an elderly Staffy who managed to find a home last year.
And for the first time, it won’t only be rescue dogs that are on display – but dingoes as well.
Activations such as a doggy ball pit have become popular with pets. Photo: North Gong Hotel.
“Something that’s unique this year is that we are introducing a segment with Dingo Den Animal Rescue, where the public can learn the difference between dingoes and dogs, and this will be demonstrated with rescue dingoes,” Brittany said.
“I’ve been to the sanctuary myself and I’m absolutely so impressed with the facility there, the volunteers that work there and just how adorable these rescue dingoes are – so it’s going to be really lovely to educate the local community about these rescue dingoes.”
As well as promoting adoption and rescue organisations, the event has continued to evolve to include more creative offerings backed by local businesses such as a class for you and your pet by Refine Pilates.
“The dogs will participate with their owners on Pilates mats and then enjoy a puppicino and dog treat post workout, so it’s really going to be super cute,” Brittany said.
“We also have a family section this year, so we will be collaborating with the Cool Mum Club, and they’ll be hosting a sensory activations for kids of all ages, so that is everything from water play to different sensory feeling activations which are good for bubs and toddlers – and this will allow the parents to relax a bit more and enjoy a nice feed while participating in the day.
“We’re always trying to think of unique stuff to add.”
They’ll also be bringing back beloved event favourites such as best trick and costume competitions, a ball pit, market stalls selling treats, collars, leads and more, and plenty of dog-friendly entertainment throughout the afternoon.
North Gong Dog Day will be held on Saturday 19 September at North Gong Hotel from noon to 4 pm.
It is free to attend with registration and more information available on the event page.
