Pride Cymru and Dogs Trust are raising paws with Pride Cymru’s Big Weekend’s first-ever dog show

Wales’ largest celebration of diversity and equality is bringing some extra love to its Big Weekend this summer, as Pride Cymru teams up with Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity.

Visitors to Pride Cymru’s Big Weekend have been invited to bring along their pooches on Saturday, August 24th, to enter the Welsh LGBT+ charity’s first-ever dog show hosted by Dogs Trust.

Categories range from Waggiest Tail to Golden Oldie to Cutest Pup, celebrating diversity among pet owners’ furry friends. With up to thirty dogs entering each class this spectacle is bound to wag some tails.

Rhiannon Lavis, Supporter Relations Officer at Dogs Trust Bridgend said:

“We are excited to be part of this year’s Pride Cymru’s Big Weekend surrounded by our furry friends. They play such a big part in our lives, so to give people the chance to take their dogs with them to Pride Cymru’s Big Weekend is wonderful. 

“The day is set to be great fun for two- and four-legged friends alike so we are looking forward to seeing dog lovers and their furry friends to help us raise as much money as possible for the dogs in our care.”

Dogs Trust is the UK’s largest dog welfare charity and finds loving new homes for around 15,000 dogs each year. Last year alone, the charity cared for over 600 dogs in South Wales at its Bridgend rehoming centre.

The show will take place on Saturday 24 August between 2 and 4pm in the event’s Family Area, sponsored by Uber. For £3 visitors can enter their fur babies in one of five judge classes, as all proceeds go to the animal welfare charity in Wales.

Gian Molinu, Chair at Pride Cymru, said:

“We are thrilled to host our first ever dog show and excited to be collaborating with Dog Trust and help raise funds for a great charity. Pride Cymru’s Big Weekend is all about celebrating love and diversity, so why not extend that to animals? As a community-focused event, we are excited to introduce this to the Uber Family Area and I am already looking forward to seeing the variety of pooches that are going to be taking part. It will not only be great fun for families and children, but also for every animal lover.”

Anyone interested in taking part in the dog show can register their dogs online at https://www.pridecymru.com/prides-first-dog-show/. Dog owners can rest assured as a vet as well as Dogs Trust staff will be present on the day. Due to welfare reasons, the show will be cancelled if temperatures rise above 27C.

This year marks the twentieth anniversary of Pride Cymru’s Big Weekend, formerly known as Cardiff Mardi Gras, and will be held outside Cardiff City Hall Lawns on 23, 24 and 25 August. Tickets can be bought at www.pridecymru.com.