'Furstival' fever! Is it a good idea to take your dog to a festival?
With festival season in full swing and record high temperatures at events this summer many of us will struggle with kids out in the sun. Essential festival kit for little ones included hats, water bottles, practical clothing and oodles of sunscreen. But did anyone think about what to pack for man’s best friend?
More and more events are welcoming our four legged friends, but are festivals really the right place for dogs?
This really depends on the animal, the festival, and of course, YOU.
Responsible owners need to carefully consider the festival they are taking their dog to and what sort of weekend they are hoping for.
Baking in the midday heat with a pint, or 2 am sweating in the dance tent may be perfect for you, but it’s no place for anyone wearing a fur coat.
A few questions to ask yourself:
- Have you been to this festival before?
- Has your dog camped before?
- How will your dog cope? (Loud music, crowds, crazy people, sun, mud, litter, being left).
- Would you leave your dog in the tent / car / van and how would they cope?
- What would you do in an emergency? A little dramatic I know, but if you don’t have transport or are incapable of driving, it’s unlikely the festival paramedics will deal with Fido if he accidentally swallows a chicken bone or cuts his paw on glass.
There are many other considerations like food, water supply, sleeping arrangements and doggy toilet duty that will all need some thought. Ultimately, the question for us is, WILL MY DOG ENJOY A FESTIVAL?
We have listed some festivals who allow dogs below. We are in no way endorsing these as ‘dog friendly festivals’ as we have not attended all of them. We would love your comments below if you have been to these or any other festivals with your pet and how it went. Although a festival may allow dogs, this does not mean that consideration has been given to providing facilities, space, shade and anything else they may need. Let us know if you found these or other events really dog friendly festivals?
Busfest 6th – 8th September 2019 Malvern Showground, WR13 6NW
Chiddfest 24th – 26th July 2020 Nash Street, Chiddingly, East Sussex
Curious Arts Festival 19th – 21st July 2019 Pylewell Park, East End, Lyminton, Hampshire, SO41 5SJ
England’s Medieval Festival 23rd – 26th August 2019 Herstmonceux Castle, East Sussex
Farmer Phil’s Festival 9th – 11th August 2019 Shropshire
Fairport Convention 8th – 10th August 2019 Cropredy, near Banbury, Oxfordshire
Green Gathering 1st – 4th August 2019 Piercefield Park, Chepstow, NP16 6BE
Good Life Experience September, Flintshire
Lechlade Festival 22nd – 24th May 2020 Riverside Park, Lechlade, Gloucestershire
Maverick Festival July, Suffolk
Neverworld 1st – 4th August 2019 Hever, Kent
Puffin Festival May, Northumberland
Standon Calling 23rd – 26th July 2020 Standon Lordship Manor House, Hertfordshire
Upton Festival 23rd – 25th August 2019 Upton upon Severn, Worcestershire, WR8 0PB
WeyFest August, Surrey
PLEASE – IF YOU ARE GOING TO BRING DOGS TO FESTIVALS, DON’T LOCK THEM IN HOT VEHICLES. We wouldn’t leave our kids on their own so let’s not do it to our pets.
(Article source: Festival Kidz)
