A Marathon With Dogs? M’sian Dog Owners & Lovers CANNOT Miss This Doggo Carnival!

If you’re an animal lover, then you’d definitely know the importance of raising awareness on the welfare of stray animals in Malaysia. This is why this annual charity event is back again in hopes of not only providing a fun space for dogs and their owners, but also to raise funds for stray animals.

Yup, we’re talking about the annual Dogathon™ event that is back for its 23rd year with a “Hairy Pawter” themed run!

Not only can you expect to spend quality time with your fur babies at this event, but you’ll also be contributing to charity! Sounds too good to pass up? Well, here’s everything you need to know about the event:

“What is Dogathon™ about & why should I participate?”

Dogathon™ is a charity drive that also happens to be the largest dog gathering event in Malaysia organised by the VETERNAK and Zoologico club of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). Dating back to 1997, Dogathon™ consistently aims to address the issue of stray animal awareness in Malaysia. The event also works with another body, PRO-KASIH (Stray Animal Neutering Project), organised by the same faculty.

This year, Dogathon™ is back with a fun “Hairy Pawter and The Howling Run“, inspired by the classic Harry Potter books! Apart from promising a fun-filled day with exciting games and activities, the event is also driven by two main objectives:

1. Raise funds to aid the “Stray Animal Awareness Program”
   • Organised by the PRO-KASIH club, this program aims to neuter stray animals in order to manage the population of strays in a humane way.
2. Raise public awareness on the importance of good animal welfare practices
   • Be it pets or stray animals, it’s important to remind everyone to treat animals humanely to minimise the stress imposed upon them so that they are allowed to express their natural behaviours.

“Sounds cool! What pet-friendly activities will be available?”

Who says a charity drive can’t be fun? ?

If you’re planning to join this year’s Dogathon™ event, you can expect to have a fun day filled with various exciting activities! Not only is this event a favourite among pet owners, but it is also open to those without furry companions! Here are some of the activities lined up for the day:

• The Dog Race – This would be the main highlight of the event and a crowd favourite! Participants and their dogs would run side by side in a 1.2KM race while enjoying the cool morning breeze amid the lush greens of Bukit Ekspo in UPM.
• Interactive dog-friendly games – Get ready to have a blast with your doggos when you join fun games such as MasterHunt, Hide and Seek, Doggie Paw Paw, and Suit Up.

Play a game of Hide-and-Seek with your doggos. 

• Tips on dog training – Need some help on how to get your pet to be more obedient? Make sure to catch this special talk by Ms. June Low from Mighty Dog Academy PLT to get some dog training tips.
• Adoption booth – Organised by SPCA and SCAS, this booth will feature cats and dogs who are looking for their fur-ever home. If you’re looking for a new life companion, don’t miss out on this one!

• Sharing session – Another interesting sharing session will be done by Dr. Teoh, a veterinarian and certified veterinary acupuncturist, who will share about veterinary acupuncture as a choice of treatment for animals in Malaysia.
• K9 Unit demonstration – Get ready to be wowed by these professional doggos! This special demonstration by the Royal Malaysia Police will show just how awesome our local K9 Unit is at work!

Create memories at the Doggie Paw Paw corner. 

Suit Up your dogs in fun costumes for a picture!

Think these activities sound super fun? It doesn’t stop there! Participants will also receive a complimentary physical examination before the race and veterinary consultation will also be available at the event. Plus, you can get customised tote bags with your handprints alongside your pup’s pawprints as a way to remember this fun day out with your pet! Pssst, first 500 participants to register with their pets at the event will also get a FREE goody bag!

If you’re coming solo, fret not! There are fun activities available for non-pet owners too, such as shopping for goodies at the Pet Fair booths, visiting the petting zoo and catching exciting performances!

As part of the event, Dogathon™ is also running an Online Photography Contest from now until 13th May 2023! All you need to do to join is submit a heartwarming photo of you and your dog via this Google Form and fill up all the required details. Dogathon™ will post the qualified photos on their Facebook. The best photo and caption with the most likes and shares will stand a chance to win amazing prizes from Canaan Alpha worth over RM200! Submit your pictures now before it’s too late!

“Count me in! How do I sign up?”

Excited to join this year’s Dogathon™? Then you’ll be glad to know that the event is open to everyone, with or without pets, and all breeds of dogs are welcome! Make sure to mark your calendars with the event details below:

• Date: 20th May 2023
• Time: 6.30AM to 1PM
• Venue: Bukit Ekspo, University Putra Malaysia (UPM)
• Entrance fee: RM2 per person (FREE for children under 5 years old and senior citizens over 65 years old)

All the funds collected from the event will be channelled to the Catch, Neuter and Rehome (CNR) program under Pro-Kasih Club UPM. You’ll also be glad to know that no registration is necessary to join the event! However, the organiser would recommend that you fill up their pre-event survey so they can estimate the number of participants for this event.

If you’re coming with your dogs, do remember to keep your dogs leashed at all times. You can also prepare a few things such as food and water for your dog, a muzzle if necessary, and poop bags to ensure the cleanliness of the venue.

For more information, simply visit Dogathon™’s social media pages on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to get the latest updates on the event. See you there! ??