By Bejay Browne
THE SEVENTEENTH annual hot dog show will be held at Paphos harbour on Sunday. The popular event which is organised by Paphos based Paphiakos and CCP animal welfare group aims to raise awareness and funds to help thousands of animals each year.
Dog lovers from all over the island attend the annual Paphos event. Many enter their pets into the fourteen categories offered which include an open class – suitable for any dog no matter what age, breed or size – best puppy, best rescue dog and bitch, prettiest and most handsome, best junior handler and best pedigree. There are also categories for best veteran and best Cyprus poodle.
Class winners will go through to the final for a chance to win the coveted ‘Best in Show’ title.
“This year we will also have a dedicated area where owners can bring their dogs to be micro-chipped by the clinic’s vets. This takes only a shot time and is required by law,” said Paphiakos sales and marketing manager, Joy Porter.
She said the procedure is painless and will ensure that the dogs are registered onto a data base. Only a small fee will be charged to cover the cost of the micro-chipping procedure.
The event is a fun day out for all the family and this year will be hosted by local entertainer Matthew Edmondson. There will also be musical entertainment throughout the day, refreshments and more than 50 stalls with all sorts of goods and services on offer.
A raffle will also help to boost funds for the organisation; the top prize is a helicopter ride over Paphos.
“There are some people who take the competition seriously and others who enter for fun, but it’s all about participating. It’s a real family day out,” Porter said. There will also be a bouncy castle, face painting and a chance to try water walking for the kids.
This year a fun category has been created for the competition, where women can enter their husbands or partners.
“This year we will have a husband’s agility course which we are sure will be highly entertaining. It will take place in the main arena,” she said.
Owners and handlers wishing to register their dogs can do so at a dedicated registration tent. It will cost 10 euros to enter the first category and one euro for each one after that.
Paphiakos and CCP animal welfare is a non-profit making independent animal welfare organisation, situated in Paphos and founded in 1982. It provides many services including veterinary clinics in Paphos and Polis, a rescue line and a rehoming service. It also actively promotes animal welfare across Cyprus. The shelter provides a home to numerous donkeys, horses, dogs, cats, rabbits, goats and a sheep.
The annual hot dog show is the organisation’s main fundraising event and although last year saw numbers drop due to the economic crisis, they are hoping that thousands will choose to visit again this year.
The event will be officially opened by Mayor of Paphos, Savvas Vergas.
The 17th annual Hot Dog Show Sunday May 4th Paphos harbour 8am-6pm
Paphiakos and CCP animal welfare 26946461
www.cyprusanimalwelfare.org
