"Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen.” Orhan Pamuk

Last week, we celebrated International Dog Day, a wonderful day to honour and celebrate the unconditional love, loyalty, and joy our dogs bring into our lives. While it’s not a public holiday (though we think it absolutely should be! ), it’s a global reminder of the incredible role dogs play,  from loyal companions and working partners to service animals and cherished family members.

Dogs give us their whole hearts, and the least we can do is fight for them. At the Animal Justice Party, we believe every dog deserves love, safety, and a forever home. From wagging tails that greet us at the door to cuddles that make even the toughest days better, dogs truly make life richer.

Fun Dog Facts

• Dogs’ noses are as unique as human fingerprints.
• Petting a dog can lower your stress and blood pressure.
• Greyhounds can sprint up to 72 km/h, faster than most humans!

While many of us are lucky to share our lives with dogs, thousands are still waiting for a loving home. Shelters are full, and far too many dogs are abandoned, mistreated, or exploited in industries like greyhound racing.

A Win for Greyhounds

Over the past couple of weeks, we received some exciting news: Tasmania is phasing out greyhound racing, following bans in New Zealand and the ACT. This is a huge win for these amazing dogs, who are often pushed to the limits in the racing industry.

Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell commissioned a report revealing that the Victorian government would save $451.6 million if it stopped subsidising greyhound racing and closed the industry. Every greyhound deserves a life as a loved pet, not as a gambling commodity.

Rescue Story Spotlight: Bubbles

If you’ve been tuning into our Rescue Stories every Friday, you’ll know about the wonderful Staffy called Bubbles. She was rescued from the Blue Cross Animal Society shelter after waiting about six months for her forever home.

Bubbles loves people so much that she now volunteers as part of Lort Smith’s pet therapy program, visiting the Austin Hospital Acute Psych Unit once a fortnight. She brings joy to patients and staff alike. As her adopter Mark says:

“Bringing a rescue animal home can change your life and theirs, and also the lives of others!”

How You Can Help

International Dog Day isn’t just about celebration, it’s a call to action. You can help by:

• Celebrating the bond you share with your dogs every day.
• Supporting adoption and rescue over buying from breeders.
• Advocating for stronger protections against cruelty and exploitation.

 Sharing your rescue stories to inspire change. Every dog deserves love, care, and happiness. Together, we can make that a reality.