One of the UK’s leading pet insurance companies has made a £5,000 donation to become the headline sponsor of Bring Your Dog To Work Day 2014.

Set to be held on Friday, June 27, businesses from across the UK will welcome their dog-loving employees into the workplace, along with their loyal four-legged companions, all in the name of charity.

Animal Friends Insurance, which is based in Amesbury, snapped up the exclusive headline sponsor spot because of their dedication to promoting animal welfare - and to make an equal donation to Bring Your Dog To Work Day’s official charities: All Dogs Matter, Animals Asia and Pup Aid.

“Animal Friends believes in supporting worthy animal welfare projects across the world. There’s no question that the charities associated with Bring Your Dog To Work Day do a huge amount to help animals in need and we’re very pleased to be helping with this initiative. We already actively encourage our staff to bring their dogs to work on a regular basis,” explains Elaine Fairfax (above), managing director of Animal Friends Insurance.

Jo Amit (left), co-founder of Butch & Bess, one of the pet companies behind the initiative, adds: “Attracting a business like Animal Friends Insurance as the headline sponsor for the first year of Bring Your Dog To Work Day is incredible. They’re a perfect fit for us and we couldn’t be happier.”

Other businesses and individuals can also make online donations of £50 and £2 respectively to participate in the day and raise funds for the three charities. 

“We thought an annual Bring Your Dog To Work Day would be an excellent way to highlight the role dogs can play in creating a productive work environment, while raising money for three organisations that champion the rights of animals,” says Leean Young, co-founder of LoveSniffys, the partnering company behind the annual event.

“And if you already take your dog to work, that’s even better! We want as many businesses and individuals to get involved as possible.” 

The animal organisations that stand to benefit from Bring Your Dog To Work Day were chosen because of their noticeable work for protecting and promoting the welfare of vulnerable animals. 

For instance, All Dogs Matter rescues and re-homes more than 300 dogs a year in London, Norfolk and the surrounding areas. The dogs in they care for are usually homeless, or come from local dog pounds. A mixture of foster homes and kennel spaces are used to take care of the dogs.

International charity Animals Asia is devoted to ending the barbaric practice of bear bile farming, as well as improving the welfare of dogs and cats in China and Vietnam. 

Pup Aid is an organisation that aims to end the practice of puppy farming in the UK. Last year it launched an e-petition to help ban the sale of young puppies and kittens. Over 100,000 people provided signatures and the topic is guaranteed debate in parliament.

Visit bringyourdogtoworkday.co.uk for further information on how to donate and participate.