We are absolutely thrilled to share the highlights from our Danaher Open Day on Sunday, 31st August 2025 – a day that will be remembered as our biggest and most successful event yet! From the moment the gates opened, the atmosphere was electric. Families, friends, and furry companions of all shapes and sizes came together to enjoy a day filled with fun, community spirit, and wagging tails. (Sorry about the queues!) Thanks to the generosity and support of everyone who attended, we are overjoyed to announce that we raised an astonishing £10,442.10 – the most money we have EVER raised at an Open Day! To put this in perspective, in previous years, our totals have ranged between £4,000 and £6,000. These funds will go directly to supporting animals in need, providing vital care, and helping us continue our mission: Rescue. Rehabilitate. Rehome. Educate.
This year, our volunteer team, The Danateers, took the lead in making the event a seamless success. From planning the dog shows to creating the site layout and assisting with queries throughout the day, their tireless dedication was the backbone of the event. Their efforts ensured that everything ran smoothly and that every visitor had a fantastic experience. We cannot thank them enough!
The dog shows were a highlight, with attendance reaching an all-time high. Competitions ranged from “Junior Handler” to “Golden Oldies,” finishing in the always-heart-warming “Best Rescue” class. Seeing so many former Danaher dogs thriving in their forever homes was a touching reminder of the impact our community helps us make.
A huge thank you to our Dog Class Sponsors for their generous support:
We were also honoured to welcome special VIP guests: Lisa Baggs and family, Rianna (rianna_rottie) and Alex & Olivia Bowen, who generously judged some of the dog shows. You may have seen a film crew following Alex and Olivia around the site... keep an eye out for the new ITV2 show coming in October, where Danaher may just make an appearance!
Visitors enjoyed a huge variety of stalls, offering everything from tasty treats and refreshing drinks to unique handmade gifts. As always, a huge shout out to Jenny Garvey and her BBQ-Crew for a seamless day, providing lots of tasty hot food for our attendees.
We also want to give a special thanks to:
And to all the other volunteers, supporters, and attendees who helped make the day possible – your contributions, big and small, are truly appreciated.
One of our favourite parts of the day as always was seeing so many ex-Danaher dogs and their families return. The “Best Rescue” class in particular showcased the incredible transformations of our former residents. We are also thrilled to report that several of our current residents found their forever homes from being seen on the day – a perfect reminder of why we do what we do.
From everyone at Danaher Animal Home, thank you to all who attended, donated, volunteered, and celebrated alongside us. Together, we have achieved something truly remarkable, raising vital funds to continue our life-changing work for animals in need. Here’s to making next year even bigger and better!
