Bring Your Dog to Work Day
June 26
About Bring Your Dog to Work Day
Bring Your Dog to Work Day takes place on Friday 26 June 2026. The annual UK fundraising event invites dog-friendly workplaces to open their doors to four-legged colleagues for a day, with participating businesses donating to animal welfare charities. Now in its second decade, the day combines office fun with a serious cause: improving the lives of dogs in shelters, sanctuaries, and rescue centres.
How to Celebrate Bring Your Dog to Work Day
Whether you are an employer, a dog owner, or simply someone who likes a wagging tail under the desk, there is a way to take part:
- Get permission first – Speak to your manager and HR team about taking part. Make sure colleagues with allergies or anxieties are comfortable, and check the building’s policy on animals.
- Make a donation – The day is fundamentally a fundraiser. Encourage participants to give a fixed donation to take part, with proceeds going to All Dogs Matter, Animals Asia, or another official charity partner.
- Run a doggy bake sale – Sell biscuits, cupcakes, and dog-friendly treats. The proceeds add to the day’s total fundraising and bring colleagues together.
- Hold a “best in office” competition – Categories such as waggiest tail, best outfit, or most photogenic colleague encourage gentle competition and make for great social content.
- Set up a dog-friendly zone – Designate areas of the office where dogs are welcome and others where they are not, ensuring colleagues who would prefer a quiet space have one.
- Plan a lunchtime walk – Organise a group walk to a nearby park. It gets the team moving and gives the dogs a break from the unfamiliar environment.
- Provide water bowls and treats – Stock the kitchen with bowls, blankets, and a small supply of treats so visiting dogs are comfortable throughout the day.
- Share photos with the right hashtags – Use #BringYourDogToWorkDay and #BYDTWD on LinkedIn, Instagram, and X to amplify the campaign and link back to the chosen charity.
What is Bring Your Dog to Work Day?
Bring Your Dog to Work Day is a UK fundraising day organised by HOWND, an ethical pet care brand, to raise money for animal welfare charities. Workplaces sign up, employees bring well-behaved dogs into the office for the day, and the business or its staff make a donation to support the cause. It is now widely observed across the UK, with thousands of companies taking part each year.
When is Bring Your Dog to Work Day?
Bring Your Dog to Work Day 2026 falls on Friday 26 June 2026. The day is held annually on the last Friday of June. It is distinct from the American “Take Your Dog to Work Day”, which is run by Pet Sitters International and falls on the same Friday in 2026.
The History of Bring Your Dog to Work Day
The UK Bring Your Dog to Work Day was launched in 2014 by HOWND, a Cardiff-based ethical pet care company. The team had attended the established American “Take Your Dog to Work Day” and felt the UK needed its own version, with proceeds dedicated to British and international animal welfare charities. The first event was a modest affair, with a few dozen offices signing up, but support grew quickly through word of mouth and social media.
Within five years, thousands of UK businesses were taking part annually, with charity partners including All Dogs Matter, Animals Asia, and Surge Sanctuary receiving meaningful donations from the campaign. The event has been backed by celebrities, journalists, and dog-loving professionals across sectors from law firms to advertising agencies. HOWND continues to coordinate the day, providing free posters, social media graphics, and fundraising guidance for participating businesses.
Fun Facts About Bring Your Dog to Work Day
- Bring Your Dog to Work Day was founded in 2014 by Cardiff-based ethical pet care brand HOWND.
- It is held annually on the last Friday of June, deliberately positioned at the start of the summer when offices are at their most relaxed.
- The day raises money for animal welfare charities including All Dogs Matter, Animals Asia, and Surge Sanctuary.
- According to the charity Mind, simply petting a dog for a few minutes can reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol and increase oxytocin, making office dogs a small but real wellbeing boost.
- A 2017 study by Banfield Pet Hospital found that 67 percent of pet-friendly workplaces reported higher employee morale, and 50 percent reported better staff retention.
Why Bring Your Dog to Work Day Matters
Beyond the photos of golden retrievers in meeting rooms, the day raises significant funds for animal welfare charities and helps build the case for pet-friendly workplaces. Companies that take part often see lasting improvements in team culture, with informal connections forming around shared dog ownership. For shelter dogs and animals in international sanctuaries, the donations raised translate directly into food, veterinary care, and rehoming work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bring Your Dog to Work Day?
It is a UK fundraising event founded in 2014 by HOWND, on which workplaces invite dogs into the office for the day in exchange for donations to animal welfare charities.
When is Bring Your Dog to Work Day in 2026?
Bring Your Dog to Work Day 2026 falls on Friday 26 June 2026, the last Friday of June.
Is Bring Your Dog to Work Day the same as Take Your Dog to Work Day?
No. The UK Bring Your Dog to Work Day was launched by HOWND in 2014, while the American Take Your Dog to Work Day was launched by Pet Sitters International in 1999. Both fall on the same Friday in late June and share a similar spirit, but they are run by different organisations.
Spread the Word
Join the celebration and share your office dog photos on social media with #BringYourDogToWorkDay and #BYDTWD2026. Tag your colleagues and challenge friends in other offices to take part too.
Related Awareness Days
- National Corgi Day – A celebration of one of the UK’s most beloved breeds.
- National Dachshund Day – A fellow June dog day, dedicated to the dachshund breed.
- National Dog Day – The annual August day celebrating dogs of all breeds.
Links
- Visit the official Bring Your Dog to Work Day website
- Explore more awareness days at AwarenessDays.com
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