We were incredibly excited to be a part of DogFest at Knebworth House last weekend, and are thrilled to report that hundreds of dogs of all ages, breeds and colours had an absolutely ‘pawsome’ time!

Our Mayhew marquee area gave attending dogs and their owners a perfect space to relax and unwind together, whilst our staff and volunteers provided a range of expert tips and enrichment activities designed to strengthen the bond between animals and humans.

DogFest is a celebration of the unique relationship between a dog and their owner, and we demonstrated a variety of ways in which owners can make the most of their time with their furry friends – from fun games and enrichment techniques to dog friendly aromatherapy and grooming.

Our Chill Out Zone provided a relaxing place for people to bond with their animals, incorporating deckchairs, beanbags, rugs, herbal plants and oil diffusers for a full calming experience. Visitors loved receiving a small packet of lavender seeds, which they could take home to kick-start their very own dog-friendly sensory garden.

In our Play Zone, dogs could really ‘let their hair down’ by enjoying a ball pit, a paddling pool and more toys than they could shake a stick at!

Our Taste & Touch Zone contained puzzles and texture based games, which owners could use to stimulate and challenge their dogs. We also showed visitors how to use everyday household items such as cereal boxes to enrich meal times and help their dogs develop key problem solving skills.

Our Head of Animal Welfare, Zoe Edwards, also gave an exclusive talk in the Big Top tent on both days. Zoe shared a mix of personal stories and case studies from her 25 years of working in animal welfare, and explained exactly how Mayhew’s unique approach to animal welfare makes a real difference.

During Zoe’s talks, we screened our inspiring short-film series “Home is where their dog is”, which tell the stories of dog owners from all walks of life, and reveal how Mayhew helped protect their bond and keep them all together.

There were many more heart-warming moments at the Mayhew marquees throughout the weekend, from owners sharing what their dogs meant to them on large whiteboards, to a VIP visit from TheraPaws dog Pops the sausage and her friend Puggy Smalls.

Visitors who subscribed to Mayhew’s newsletter have also been entered into a prize draw to win a fabulous photoshoot with pet photographer Bridget Davey, who kindly donated a London Signature Session worth £225!

Every dog most definitely had its day at DogFest, and we can’t thank Professor Noel Fitzpatrick, our volunteers and the visiting owners and dogs enough for enabling us be a part of such an incredible event.