Dogs Trust Ireland launches design competition to celebrate Dog Friendly Ireland Day 2026

Dogs Trust, Ireland’s largest dog welfare charity, has launched a nationwide design competition to celebrate Dog Friendly Ireland Day 2026 – an annual campaign encouraging the small but meaningful changes that can help make Ireland a more welcoming place for dogs and the people who love them. 

Now in its ninth year, Dog Friendly Ireland Day shines a light on the positive steps businesses, communities and individuals can take to make life more inclusive for dogs – whether that’s offering water bowls outside a café, welcoming dogs in workplaces and rental accommodation, or creating other opportunities for dogs to become part of everyday life. 

To mark this year’s campaign, Dogs Trust is inviting children across the country to show what a truly dog friendly Ireland looks like to them, through a creative design competition. 

The winning design will be transformed into a limited-edition range of Dogs Trust t-shirts and tote bags, perfect for dog walks, beach trips and other dog friendly adventures. The collection will be sold through the Dogs Trust Ireland online shop, with all proceeds helping support the charity’s work to give dogs a better life through rescue, rehabilitation, rehoming and advocacy work all across Ireland.  

Paulina Padlo, Communications Manager at Dogs Trust Ireland, says: “Dog Friendly Ireland Day is all about celebrating the simple changes that can make a huge difference for Irish dog owners and their furry best friends. 

We’re excited to see how children across the country bring this idea to life through their creativity and imagination. Whether they love drawing, painting or designing, we encourage young artists of all ages to get involved and share their vision of what a dog friendly Ireland looks like in practice.” 

Entries for the competition are now officially open and will close on Sunday, 24th May at midnight.  

A shortlist of three finalists will then go to a public vote via Dogs Trust Ireland’s social media channels and email newsletter on Thursday, 28th May, with the winning design announced on Dog Friendly Ireland Day on June 19th. 

To enter the competition, please submit your child's design at dogstrust.ie/DFIDay.