Dog Furiendly, a travel community for dog owners, is running an online dog show and charity appeal called ‘Bark Aid’ to raise vital funds for dog charities in need.

The online competition brings together a large number of dog-loving businesses, pupfluencers and celebrities to raise money for dog’s in need, including Loose Women’s Andrea McLean and Danni Menzies from Place In The Sun.

Throughout the pandemic 56 per cent of animal charities reported suffering a drop of over half of their income.

If this wasn’t bad enough Battersea Dogs Home predicts that in the wake of the lockdown puppy boom the UK can expect a 27 per cent increase in dog abandonments in the coming years.

Proceeds from the online dog show will go to three animal charities who have had significant blows to funding due to the cancelation of fundraising events during the pandemic.

These charities include Thin Blue Paw Foundation, Wild At Heart Foundation and Greenacres Animal Rescue.

Greenacres is now the only all animal rescue centre in Pembrokeshire. They work hard to help any animal in need and although Pembrokeshire based they work throughout the UK.

Bark Aid is now in its second year, after raising £6445 for various charities during the peak of the pandemic last year with support from TOWIE’s Pete Wicks and Love Island’s Laura Anderson.

This year Dog Furiendly and the other organisations involved, including Burns Pet Nutrition, are aiming to raise £12,000!

To enter the competition, dog owners are asked to submit a photo of their furry best friend into one of 12 categories, including - Gorgeous Girl, Happiest Hound, Best Rescue etc.

Entries cost £2 each, and close on October 11.

The winner’s of the competition can win some great prizes from dog loving businesses across the UK, including a board game for dog lovers called Canine Kleptomaniacs, tickets to Dogstival, pet hampers from Animal Friends Pet Insurance and pet portraits from talented artists.

Founder of Dog Furiendly Adele Pember said: “Our canine loving charities have faced increasing pressure since the pandemic, with many of them losing significant fundraising opportunities.

“There has also been major implications for animal welfare with a surge of pets being bought throughout lockdown.

“On the other paw, the pandemic has shone the biggest spotlight on how important our dogs are to us. So Bark Aid is our chance to highlight how we can all band (or bark) together to be a voice for the dogs who need it the most.”

Bark Aid is about more than raising funds for animal charities in need. It is also a way to lift community spirits and celebrate the contribution our dogs make to our everyday lives.

The campaign will also be used as a platform to talk about difficult issues surrounding animal welfare.

For example, in the wake of the lockdown “puppy boom” rehoming centres are facing considerable pressure and an increase in abandoned dogs.

Thin Blue Paw Foundation co-founder and trustee Dave Wardell said: “We’re really excited to be one of three fabulous charities that Dog Furiendly is supporting with this year’s Bark Aid event.

“We feel really touched that the team chose to support our work supporting retired police dogs and we can’t wait to see all of the wonderful four-legged participants in this year’s event!”

Enter your furry best friend in Bark Aid 2021 at: https://dogfuriendly.com/barkaid/