There will be a big charity dog show next Sunday (22 October 2006) at the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds – the BIG Match Show, whose aim is to draw people’s attention to the problem of homeless dogs in Estonia.
The BIG Match Show differs from ordinary dog shows in that all dogs are allowed to participate in the show: both well-trained pedigree dogs and mutts that are at a show for the first time in their life. All the proceeds from the BIG Match Show will go to the Tartu shelter for homeless dogs. The event is organised by BIG in cooperation with Koertekoda (the Dog Chamber) and the Society of Estonian Dog Owners.
Registration for participation available on the spot from 9 to 10.45 am.
Pre-registration for participation in the Match Show ends on Friday.
According to Aire-Piret Pärn, Member of the Board of the Society of Estonian Dog Owners, the organisers of the charity dog show wish to make the public become aware that by taking in a domestic animal you take on great responsibility and this move should not be made on the basis of fleeting emotions, for you cannot back down from that decision later just like that. “Throwing a dog out on the street is a cruel act but unfortunately a frequent one these days,” said Pärn.
Taavi Esperk, BIG’s Project Manager, said that BIG is supporting the organisation of the charity dog show because the problem of homeless dogs has not received the attention it needs in the background of Estonia’s economic success.
According to the Society of Estonian Dog Owners, the shelters for homeless dogs all over Estonia are mostly in deplorable condition and need financial support. The proceeds from this year’s BIG Match Show will go to the Tartu shelter for homeless dogs, which plans to use the collected money for improving the living conditions of the dogs, for example for constructing running pens for the dogs in the shelter.
This year’s charity Match Show will be the second one held in Estonia. The previous Match Show was visited by more than 570 people, and 160 dogs participated in the show. BIG, the main sponsor and co-organiser of the event, wishes to make the big charity dog show an annual tradition.
Further information on the dog show and on participating in it can be found at www.big.ee, www.koeraomanikud.ee and www.koertekoda.ee.
For further information:
Aire-Piret Pärn
Member of the Board
Society of Estonian Dog Owners
Mobile: +372 5555 5138
airepiret@koertekoda.net
Taavi Esperk
Project Manager
Baltic Investment Group Bank
Tel.: +372 630 9928
Mobile: +372 5650 4875
taavi.esperk@big.ee
