Dozens of paws hit the pavement at North Wollongong Hotel for the Illawarra’s biggest dog event, North Gong Dog Day.
The event is organised by Pound Paws, an organisation that provides a modern online approach to rehoming pets.
Pound Paws founder Brittany Bloomer considers North Gong Dog Day a perfect example of how their work assists rescue groups.
“As well as having a lot of fun, we wanted to educate the public in a relaxed style and it’s proven to be very successful,” Ms Bloomer said.
“This year we’ve doubled in the number of stalls and rescue groups and we’re expecting an amazing response.”
Now in its second year North Gong Dog Day is the ultimate pet-lovers day out, with activities like Sausage Dog Ninja Warrior, puppy ball pits and dog crystal healing to entertain both dogs and humans.
“We go above and beyond to make it really enjoyable for the dogs, nothing makes us happier than seeing a dog smile,” Ms Bloomer said.
North Gong Dog Day supports a number of rescue groups including Greyhound Rescue, Best Friends Fur-Ever Rescue, Deaf Dog Rescue Australia and RSPCA NSW, with a mission to help re-home the dogs that are available for adoption.
Jai Wilson of Deaf Dogs Rescue Australia is grateful to be involved with the event.
“We rescue throughout Australia, so it’s very hard for us to have one big base,” Ms Wilson said.
“[North Gong Dog Day] has been amazing because it has promoted so many of our dogs.”
Deaf Dogs Rescue Australia takes on challenging rescue cases.
“Because they’re deaf, they’re discarded to a pound or an RSPCA,” Ms Wilson said.
“We rehabilitate them for 8 months.
“They never go to a foster (home) until they’ve got good behaviours.”
Ms Wilson believes Pound Paws’ social media exposure has greatly assisted Deaf Dogs Rescue Australia.
“Brittany puts our dogs on Pound Paws’ Instagram and Facebook page,” Ms Wilson said.
“She promotes us really well.”
Ms Bloomer said she couldn’t be happier with the turn out at this year’s event, held last month.
“We’re continuing to strive to do bigger and better and we’re really happy with how it’s going,” she said.
Ms Bloomer hopes that Pound Paws’ North Gong Dog Day will return in 2019.