The Big Paws

Registration starts at 7:30pm on September 30th. *Please check your ticket for your exact registration time*

To ensure you have plenty of time to savour the experience of The Big Paws and make the most of this special event, we'll be spacing out start times. This means you can arrive, take in the ambiance, and soak up the good vibes without feeling rushed. Whether you want to snap some paw-some pics, enjoy the music, or simply relish the lights and atmosphere, you'll have the freedom to do it all.

The Malahide Castle Event walk will be about 3.5km long, but it will be done at a slow pace as there will be lots of lovely lights and sights to take in as you stroll through the forest.

The length of the Regional Event walks may vary, so please contact your local organiser for more information.

The Solo Walks can be as long or as short as you like!

The packs for each event type (National, Regional and Solo) will differ slightly, but each pack contains goodies so that you can show your support for The Big Paws.

We will be sending all The Big Paws packs in September; you will have them in plenty of time for the big day!

If you purchased your ticket on or after Monday the 25th of September, your pack will be available for collection at the event.

Dog tickets are now sold out. If you have purchased a dog ticket, please ensure your dog is well behaved, and comfortable around other dogs, people, and large crowds. We’ve provided a handy flowchart to help you assess whether your dog may or may not enjoy attending a busy event.

Every dog must be kept on a lead at all times and be held by an adult.

As this walk is in a public space, if you have a dog ticket, please remember to adhere to the relevant legislation outlined in the Control of Dogs Act. If your dog is a 'restricted breed' they will need to wear a muzzle.

Please be considerate of other attendees as some may not be comfortable around all dogs and ensure that you pick up after your dog on the walk.

Note: Please do not bring your dog to the national event without a dog ticket, as entry is not guaranteed.

The national event is family friendly and is suitable for children to attend once you have booked a child’s ticket(s). The walk will be roughly 3.5km long, in case you need to bring along a buggy for little legs that might get tired.

However, as there will be lots of other people and dogs at this event, they may not be suitable for children who are anxious around dogs or who find large groups of people overwhelming. If your child is anxious around dogs, we have resources available which may help. Check out www.BeDogConfident.ie for more information.

If you feel that your child wouldn’t be comfortable on the bigger walk, why not check out a regional walk in your area, or organise your own family walk?

There are no tickets attached to solo events however we would appreciate a donation when you sign up to support our work in rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming dogs across Ireland. By donating, the memory of your best friend will live on forever and make tails wag every day. Register here

We understand that sunset or evening time may not work for everyone’s schedule so you can organise your solo walk at any time that suits you.

We would be delighted to have your school take part! Please email us for information on how your school can get involved.

While we would love if you could fundraise, we understand not everyone is in a position to do so. If you would like to create a fundraiser for the event, please email our fundraising team or make a one-off donation.

Every donation made toward The Big Paws will help to provide a cosy bed, veterinary care, nutritious food and, above all, love to dogs urgently in need. Your generosity directly contributes to creating a brighter future for these deserving furry friends.