Find Your Joy at Doggie Dash, a Fundraiser for Oregon Humane

 

An event dedicated to celebrating all of the good things animals bring to our lives, Doggie Dash is a pet-friendly walk/run and festival for animal lovers, pet parents, and anyone wanting to give back to our community. Your participation as a Dasher powers the work of Oregon Humane, turning compassion into action for pets and the people who love them!

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

Walk/Run & Pet-Friendly Festival

Saturday, May 9, 2026
7:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Portland

 

Find Your People. Find Your Purpose. Find Your Joy.

Gather with fellow animal lovers, help animals, and have the best day ever!

   

The Walk/Run: 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 9–10:15 a.m. For your safety, attendees who wish to walk the course must join one of the waves. The course will reopen to traffic and will not be monitored by course officials after 10:15 a.m.

The Pet-Friendly Festival: Open to all registered Dashers, the festival features animal-loving local businesses, food trucks, dog agility course, family-friendly activities, a Libation Station for 21+, live music, and contests for you and your pup! Make sure you stop by the Photo Booth for a keepsake pic. Dashers who fundraised $500+ can enjoy complimentary treats in the VIP Tent, including goodies and perks!

 

Festival Schedule

• 7:30 a.m. – Festival begins
• 8 a.m. – Libation Station opens
• 9 a.m. – Human zoomies!!! First run/walk wave departs
• 10 a.m. – Contests begin
• 10:15 a.m. – Last run/walk wave departs
• 12:30 p.m. – Raffle closes
• 1 p.m. – Festival ends

 

If you or your pup don’t do well in large crowds and would prefer to walk elsewhere or on another day, a Virtual Dash option is available! Don’t furget to stay leashed into all the action by sharing your Doggie Dash pics and clips with us by tagging @oregonhumane on social media!

 

Getting There

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

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 9. 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).

 

Safety

Oregon Humane’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.
• Oregon Humane 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.
• Oregon Humane 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 Animals

Please observe the following rules for pets attending the event for the health and safety of all animals 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.
• All animals must be leashed or safely contained in a carrier 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.
• Oregon Humane 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 animal 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 pet are well-conditioned for this event, especially if you plan to participate in the walk/run.
• Animals may not be sold or adopted at this event. Oregon Humane reserves the right to request that anyone attempting to sell or rehome animals remove themselves from the event property.