Today, Friday 26th of June, is the 7th annual Bring Your Dog To Work Day and because of lockdown restrictions things are a wee bit different. It’s going online.

There are celebrity judged Dog Shows and  an exclusive Rescue Moon Bear Experience live from China. The events raise money for animal charities and this year they are All Dogs Matter and Animals Asia.

8am :  for the first time viewers in the UK will be able to see rescued Moon Bears forage for their enrichment treats at Animals Asia’s sanctuary in China. You’ll meet two of the sanctuary’s resident dogs Muppet and To Zhai who were rescued from the meat trade. There will be a Q & A with the CEO and Founder of Animals Asia after the event. The Rescue Moon Bear Experience will be led by Ryan Marcel Sucaet – China Bear and Vet Team Director of Animals Asia, tickets are £33 and can be booked  here  or Eventbrite

Four online dog shows

Dog-loving celebrities including Eastenders Michelle Collins, Downton Abbey’s Peter Egan, Celebrity Vet Marc Abraham, Anna Webb author and host of BBC’s The Barking Hour will judge the four shows. Book online (donation of £10 per four-legged entrant per household to with all donations going to charity). For each dog show per household, book here or at Eventbrite

Dog Show Competition Categories

• 11-12pm Britain’s Best-Behaved Office Dog – has your dog worked really hard and deserves a big pawmotion?
• 1-2pm Lockdown Hero – has your dog gone that extra mile for you at home or cheering up your neighbours
• 3-4pm Best Lookalike to pet parent or celebrity – does your dog look like you, your nan or someone famous?
• 5-6pm Child Handler Kids what do you like doing best with your pooch? Now is your chance to show us what they can do

Like every year, businesses from all industries can upload their logo, URL, blurb and social media handles to the Bring Your Dog To Work Day homepage for a minimum of £150 donation and become official Pawsome Partners. Dog owners can upload a pooch selfie for a £10 donation to our Dog With A Job Hall of Fame competition –  with three lucky dogs and their parents scooping up prizes worth £100s.

Each year #Bringyourdogtoworkday trends at number 1 on twitter, with 65k Instagram users following the hashtag.

UK dog-friendly holiday booking company, Canine Cottages are headline sponsors of Bring Your Dog To Work Day.

Jo Amit, founder of Bring Your Dog To Work Day and co-owner of ethical pet product company HOWND says:

 “ We know from our own experience what a joy it has been having dogs in the “office” or “school room” when things have sometimes been stressful.

“Dogs always contribute positively to our mental health and have really stepped up during lockdown. They’ve brought happiness and comfort, kept us company and got us out of our homes to exercise.

“We’re proud to be involved in something that is doing good and also bringing a lot of joy to the workplace.”