Doggie Dash Portland

Presented by Subaru of Portland

Doggie Dash is a Walk in Support of Animals at Oregon Humane Society

Our biggest fundraiser of the year, Doggie Dash ensures that OHS can continue providing our critical life-saving programs and services for the community. The success of this event is only possible with the help of thousands of caring individuals who raise funds and advocate for animals in need!

*This page contains information specific to Doggie Dash Portland. Please click here for information about Doggie Dash Salem.*

 

Walk/Run & Pet Festival

Saturday, May 10, 2025
7:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Portland

 

Not Just Another Walk in the Park

We hope you'll join us to show your support in-person by walking a Doggie Dash route and enjoying the pet festival. Doggie Dash is dog-friendly and open to all ages. Please review our 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 Bridge and Steel Bridge. Runners are asked to lead the pack by starting your route at 9 a.m. Waves start every 15 minutes between 9 a.m.–10:15 a.m. For your safety, attendees who wish to walk the course must do so by 10:15 a.m. The course will reopen to traffic and will not be monitored by course officials after that time.

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 Xfinity Photo Booth for a keepsake pic. Dashers who fundraised $500+ can enjoy complimentary goodies in the VIP Booth, sponsored by Terry Morrison - Stifel.

Festival Schedule

• 7:30 a.m. – Festival begins
• 8 a.m. – Libation Station opens
• 9 a.m. – First run/walk wave departs
• 10 a.m. – Contests begin (see schedule below)
• 10:15 a.m. – Last run/walk wave departs
• 12:10 p.m. – Final Contest begins
• 12:30 p.m. – Raffle closes
• 1 p.m. – Festival ends

 

The After-Party: Head over to the Doggie Dash After-Party  at the dog-friendly Midtown Beer Garden at 421 SW Harvey Milk St. Keep the fun going with live music and exclusive door prizes for registered Dashers! (Bring your race bib with you to participate.) Many of the trucks will be offering discounts or givebacks to benefit OHS, including Bring! Treats for Dogs, Fracture Bar, Iron Strike Smash Burger, Great Tang Chinese, Love Verona, and more!

 

Contest Schedule

• 10 a.m. – Doggie Leap contest
• 10:30 a.m. – Best Singing Duo contest
• 10:50 a.m. – Doggie Musical Sit
• 11:20 a.m. – Silly Treat Toss contest
• 11:50 a.m. – Dog/Owner Look-a-Like contest
• 12:10 p.m. – Peanut Butter Lick Off

 

Getting There

Doggie Dash Portland takes place at Tom McCall Waterfront Park on Naito Parkway. 

Public Transit: Thanks to our friends at TriMet, dogs are welcome on trains for Doggie Dash Portland!

• Dogs allowed until 2 p.m. only on Saturday, May 10, 2025
•  Dogs allowed on TriMet trains only, not on buses
•  Dogs must be under the owner’s control (leash or crate) at all times
•  Pay close attention to dogs and keep them close near train doors
•  Dogs must wear a muzzle or Gentle Leader-type head collar, as well as current ID tags
•  Dogs must use the rear car of a two-car train only
•  Fares required for all human companions age seven and older

Parking: The north-bound lanes of Naito Parkway between NW Everett St and SW Jefferson will be closed to traffic during the walk/run on May 10. Several SmartPark garages serve this area, and street parking is often available. The garage nearest the park is on SE 3rd and Alder (620 SW 3rd Ave).

 

Book a Staycation

After the festival, you’ll probably need a nap, so check into the Hilton Portland Downtown or The Duniway Portland, where pet fees will be waived for Dashers all weekend long!*

Book at the Hilton

Book at the Duniway

*Rates valid May 10–12, 2025. Must use the links above to book. Enter “Doggie Dash” in the Additional Notes section of the reservation to receive waived pet fees. Proof of Doggie Dash registration may be required upon check-in.

 

Safety

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 accommodating about moving.
• Volunteers and staff are stationed along the course and will be available to help. Course leaders have event radios to communicate with the onsite EMT and/or First Aid booth in case of emergency.
• We will have small utility trucks 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 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.
• OHS promotes a fear-free environment and asks that you not leash your dog to an e-collar, choke collar, or prong collar.
• 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.