Doggie Dash is a Walk in Support of Animals at Oregon Humane Society
Doggie Dash is our biggest fundraiser of the year, ensuring OHS can continue providing our critical lifesaving programs and services for the community. The success of Doggie Dash is only possible with the help of thousands of caring individuals who raise funds and advocate for animals in need!
The Walk & Pet Festival Information
Saturday, May 11, 2024 | 7:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Portland
It's the most important walk you'll take all year!
We hope you'll join us to show your support in-person by walking the Doggie Dash route(s) and enjoying the pet festival. Doggie Dash is dog-friendly and open to all ages. Please review our Hot Weather Safety and Event Rules for Dogs below if you plan to bring your pup!
- The Walk: Choose between a 1.5 mile flat loop around the park or a 2.5 mile loop that traverses the Hawthorne and Steel bridges. Runners are welcome and asked to lead the pack by starting your route at 9 a.m. Waves start every 15 minutes between 9 and 10:15 a.m. If you prefer to walk elsewhere or on another day, please share your experience with us by posting photos or videos and tagging #doggiedash on social media!
- The Pet Festival: Open to all registered Dashers, the festival features animal-loving local businesses, food trucks, family-friendly activities, a libation station for 21+, live music, and contests for you and your pup! Make sure you stop by the Mud Bay Photo Booth for a keepsake pic.
Festival Map
(click image to enlarge)
Contest Schedule
- 10:30 a.m. – Doggie Leap Contest (agility fun)
- 11:00 a.m. – Best Singing Duo Contest (for doggies who love to sing)
- 11:20 a.m. – Doggie Musical Sit (when the music stops, the last dog to sit is out)
- 11:50 a.m. – Silly Pet Trick
- 12:10 p.m. – Dog/Owner Look-a-Like Contest
- 12:30 p.m. – Peanut Butter Lick Off
Plan Your Day
The fun doesn't stop when Doggie Dash ends!
Make the most of your day by planning ahead. Line up your transportation and parking options, then check out the pet-friendly afterparty and book a staycation with one of our pet-friendly hotel partners.
Safety
Hot Weather Safety
With the weather warming up quickly, we want to make sure all people and pets are safe at this year’s Doggie Dash. We are keeping a close eye on the temperatures and will make any adjustments needed the day of the event.
- There will be plenty of water for people and pets along the Dash route. Kiddie pools, cooling stations, and additional water will be available throughout the park.
- The First Aid booth sponsored by and staffed with vets from Bridgetown Veterinary Emergency + Referral is dedicated to keeping you and your pups safe!
- Consider doing the short course if your dog is not used to being active in the heat.
- Smoosh-faced, geriatric, and young dogs under 1 year of age can be especially vulnerable to heat injury. It might be in their best interest to skip the walk/run and enjoy the festival instead.
- Costumes are cute, but they can cause your pet to heat up quickly. Consider taking them off early, or leaving them at home.
- Pavement, asphalt, metal, and even sand that have been heated by the sun can burn dogs’ paw pads. Remember: if the surface is too hot for your bare hand or foot, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.
General Safety
Oregon Humane Society’s first priority is the safety and health of all participants—both pets and people. The following safety measures are in place for the event:
- Portland Police Officers are present at the event. Their main focus is ensuring traffic safety along the Doggie Dash routes, but they can assist elsewhere if needed. The team that helps at this event has been a wonderful group of animal-lovers that has always handled situations at our events with kindness and grace.
- OHS staff walk the routes prior to the event to make sure they are clean and safe for all paws. We kindly request that campers move out of the path of participants. We have done this for several years, and campers have always been very kind about moving.
- Volunteers and staff are stationed along the course and will be available to help. We have course leaders who have event radios, first aid kits, and are trained to respond to emergencies.
- We will have small utility trucks at the ready to pick up people and/or dogs who need a lift on the course to the finish line. If your dog starts limping or looks like they are overheating, please stop and inform a volunteer. OHS will give you a lift!
- OHS volunteers can escort you back to your vehicle at the end of the event. Just stop by the Volunteer Booth and let us know you'd like someone to accompany you.
Event Rules for Dogs
Please observe the following rules for canines attending the event for the health and safety of all pups and people participating in Doggie Dash:
- Participating dogs must be currently licensed with proof of Parvo and Rabies vaccinations. You do not need to bring proof with you; if an incident occurs, you must be able to produce proof in a reasonable amount of time.
- Dogs must be leashed at all times. For safety reasons, retractable “extend-a-leashes” will NOT be allowed. Leashes should be no more than six feet in length while on the course.
- Female dogs in heat are not permitted.
- Race officials reserve the right to refuse entry to any dog whose behavior could be dangerous to others. Please use good judgment regarding the temperament of your pet so that this event will be safe and enjoyable for everyone.
- Puppies younger than six months should not participate.
- Be sure you and your dog are well-conditioned for this event, especially if you plan to run/walk.
Canine Respiratory Disease
We are committed to hosting a safe and fun Doggie Dash event and will be keeping a close eye on reported cases of any infectious diseases or weather-related concerns that could jeopardize the well-being of all our participants. Our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Steve Kochis, has been carefully monitoring this particular respiratory illness and will make recommendations about the best course of action regarding pet participation as Doggie Dash approaches.
