We are absolutely delighted to share some of the highlights from our Danaher Open Day on Sunday, 6th September 2026, a day that is the absolutely highlight of our yearly calendar. From the moment the gates opened, there was an incredible atmosphere as families, friends and furry companions came together to enjoy a fantastic day filled with fun, community spirit and plenty of wagging tails.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of everyone who attended, donated and supported us throughout the day, we are thrilled to announce that we raised an astonishing £7,500 a truly incredible achievement. Thank you ALL. Every penny raised will go directly towards supporting the animals in our care, helping to provide the vital food, veterinary treatment, rehabilitation and care they need. It allows us to continue our mission: Rescue. Rehabilitate. Rehome. Educate.
This year, our amazing volunteer team, The Danateers, played a huge part in making the event such a success. From helping to organise the dog shows and creating the site layout to answering queries and supporting visitors throughout the day, their dedication was truly incredible. Their hard work helped everything run smoothly and ensured our visitors had the best possible experience. We simply cannot thank them enough!
The dog shows were, as always, one of the biggest highlights of the day, with attendance reaching an all-time high. There was something for everyone, with classes ranging from “Junior Handler” all the way through to “Golden Oldies”, before finishing with our incredibly heart-warming “Best Rescue” class.
Seeing so many former Danaher residents returning with their families and thriving in their forever homes was incredibly special. It was a beautiful reminder of the difference our supporters help us make every single day.
A huge thank you to our Dog Class Sponsors for their generous support:
Arlo Consultancy Serices
Mazpom
Leaders
Emmerson Barnett
Braintree Canine Retreat
Quirk Build & Design
Bucking Coatings
Ian Holmes Water Softener Services
Thaxted Stoves
Waggy Tails
And Bailey Accounts.
We were also incredibly honoured to welcome our special VIP guests, including Lisa Baggs and family, Ronnie Buckingham and TONI LAITES, who kindly joined us and generously judged some of our dog shows. We were so thrilled this year to make Lisa Baggs and Ronnie Buckingham our first ever Danaher Ambassadors. We have appreciated all their support over the years, shouting our name, raising money for us and coming to the home to spend time with our animals (even adopting!) - so a huge thank you to them.
Our visitors were also treated to a fantastic variety of stalls, with everything from delicious treats to unique handmade gifts. There was truly something for everyone to enjoy!
As always, a huge shout-out goes to Jenny Garvey and her BBQ Crew for doing such a fantastic job and keeping our visitors well-fed throughout the day with plenty of delicious hot food. We also hoped you enjoyed our new addition of our Horse Box Bar this year!
And, of course, we cannot forget the other incredible volunteers, supporters and attendees who helped make the day possible. Whether you donated, volunteered your time, supported one of our stalls or simply came along to enjoy the day, every contribution made a difference and we are incredibly grateful.
One of the most special parts of the day, as always, was seeing so many ex-Danaher dogs and their families return to visit us. The “Best Rescue” class was a particular highlight, showcasing just how incredible the transformations of our former residents can be once they find their loving forever homes.
We were also over the moon to see several of our current residents find their forever homes after being seen at the event. There could be no better reminder of the reason behind everything we do, helping animals in need find the loving homes they deserve.
From everyone at Danaher Animal Home, a huge and heartfelt thank you to every single person who attended, donated, volunteered, sponsored, supported or celebrated alongside us.
Together, we have achieved something truly incredible and raised vital funds that will make a real difference to the animals in our care.
We are so incredibly grateful for the amazing community that continues to stand behind Danaher and our animals. Here’s to making next year even bigger and better!
