2026 Summer Pawty Dog Walk🐾

August 24, 2026

Our annual Summer Pawty Dog Walk at Newbridge House, Donabate was once again a fantastic success, bringing together supporters, volunteers, former adoptees, sanctuary dogs and their families for a truly special day.

We were also incredibly lucky with the weather, with the sun shining throughout the afternoon, creating the perfect backdrop for a wonderful day of wagging tails, and happy faces.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of everyone who attended, donated, entered our raffle and supported the event, we raised an amazing €1,761 for Dogs Aid. These vital funds help us continue to care for the dogs who call our sanctuary home while we work to find loving forever families for those still waiting.

While fundraising is an important feature of the Summer Pawty, the day is about so much more than raising money. It is a wonderful opportunity for members of the public to meet some of the dogs whose lives are made better through their support. Everyone who came along had the chance to meet both our adoptable dogs and some of our forever residents, getting to know their personalities and hearing their stories firsthand.

The event also gave supporters an opportunity to chat with our dedicated volunteers, learn more about the work that takes place at the sanctuary every day, and see the impact their donations have on the lives of the dogs in our care.

See video of the walk on our instagram

Of course, one of the biggest highlights of the day was providing our sanctuary dogs with a fun outing. New sights, new smells, plenty of attention and lots of tail wags made for a memorable adventure. Judging by the sleepy dogs afterwards, it’s safe to say they made the most of every minute!

Our volunteers also loved catching up with so many former Dogs Aid dogs who returned for the walk with their families. Seeing happy, thriving ex-residents enjoying the day is always a reminder of why we do what we do, and no dog embodied that more than this year’s very special walk leader, Molly.

After spending almost four years in and out of the sanctuary, Molly finally found her forever home in March 2026. Last year, she led the Spring Walk at Newbridge House wearing an “Adopt Me” bib. This year, she returned in a Superwoman outfit to proudly lead the Summer Pawty Walk as a beloved pet. Seeing Molly’s journey come full circle was a truly heartwarming reminder of what Dogs Aid is all about. (see Molly’s journey here on instagram)

As always, the fancy dress competition brought plenty of smiles. Choosing a winner was no easy task, but little George, dressed as a UPS delivery driver, stole everyone’s hearts and took home the honours.

The afternoon was rounded off with well-earned pup cups for our four-legged attendees, while their humans eagerly waited to hear the results of the raffle. It was the perfect ending to a day filled with community spirit, fun and lots of canine happiness.

A huge thank you goes to our amazing volunteers who made the day possible, as well as every person and dog who came along to support us. Whether you joined the walk, bought raffle tickets, stopped to chat or simply came to meet our dogs, you helped make the day one to remember.

Most importantly, thank you for helping us continue our mission of giving rescue dogs the care, love and second chances they deserve. 💙