The phrase ‘working like a dog’ is often associated with long-hours at the office. But that phrase could adopt a new meaning tomorrow (Friday), as the nation’s four-legged friends take centre stage in this year’s Bring Your Dog To Work Day.
Businesses from across the UK will welcome their dog loving employees into the workplace, along with their loyal (and well-behaved!) four-legged companions.
This year, the event is raising money for All Dogs Matter, a charity that rehomes hundreds of rescues every year in London and Norfolk. Just a small donation of £5 could be used to microchip a dog, while £10 is enough to buy new bedding.
“The countdown is now on and Bring Your Dog To Work Day is fast approaching! This event has really captured the imagination of the public across the UK. As a result, all kinds of businesses - such as news media websites, hair salons, car dealers, pet product manufacturers, national electricity providers, a private jet company, as well as entertainment and marketing companies - have donated, and encouraged their employees to participate in the Bring Your Dog to Work Day competition to raise further funds for the charity,” explains Jo Amit, co-founder of dog grooming product company HOWND, the company behind the initiative.
“There’s still time for both businesses and individuals to donate and get involved too, even if they already take a dog to work. Businesses can donate online (minimum of £50) to take part and become a ‘pawsome’ sponsor, while individuals can gift £5 online and upload a ‘pooch selfie’, and be entered automatically into a prize draw worth over £700 with a runner’s up prize worth £636.”
Most of this year’s Bring Your Dog to Work Day business sponsors have come together to encourage individual donations.
HOWND, Dogs & Horses, PetSafe, Long Paws, Natural Instinct, MedicAnimal, Leucillin, LoveSniffys, Vet’s Kitchen, Billy & Margot, Oscar & Hooch, Lily’s Kitchen, Company of Animals and Dependable Pets have all donated products towards a mega-prize, which has a total retail value of over £700. Fish4Dogs has given a year’s supply of pet food as a runner’s up prize. The two prizes will be awarded to the best individual entries, (and a minimum donation of £5) on this year’s ‘Dog With A Job Hall of Fame’, which consists of ‘pooch selfies’, along with a brief description of the dog’s work duties!
ITV This Morning presenters Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford were amongst thousands of enthusiastic participants back in 2014.
Last week, singer Leona Lewis was interviewed - along with Jo Amit from HOWND - on BBC Radio London’s The Barking Hour with Jo Good and Anna Webb, where they discussed animal welfare and the benefits of bringing dogs to the workplace.
Comedian and animal rights campaigner Ricky Gervais expressed support for this year’s Bring Your Dog To Work Day by posting the event to his 8.27 million Twitter followers. The award-winning sitcom writer also mentioned the event to his three million Facebook fans, raising hopes that thousands more will donate and participate.
For further information - or if you would like to headline sponsor Bring Your Dog To Work Day 2016 - visit Bring Your Dog To Work Day’s official website, or email hello@bringyourdogtoworkday.co.uk
