The Salty Dog Cafe to host annual pooch parade

THE Salty Dog Café is set to transform the foreshore into a pooch parade raising money for Geelong Animal Welfare Society (GAWS).

Owner James Zocchi said the parade, now in its third year running, was inspired by local dog walkers who frequent the foreshore café.

“We are near Whites Beach which is the dog friendly beach in Torquay,” he said.

“When we bought the business we changed the name to The Salty Dog Café because we used to walk our dog here every day.

“On an average morning we would have 50-100 dogs come through Monday to Friday.

“All our tables have dog lead hooks, then we started off with one dog bowl then two and now we have about 20.”

On Sunday, May 30, the runway will start at 2pm with the café carpark blocked off for pooches to strut their stuff for a chance to win one of three categories.

Dogs and handlers will be judged by a panel of volunteers for the best dressed pooch on the day, best dressed owner and pooch combination and the pooch who performs the best trick.

“We have had donations from Pet Stock Torquay, Owen & Edwin and heaps of dog photography companies,” he said.

“There is pretty much going to be a prize for every other dog.”

Mr Zocchi said following last year’s cancellation, community members have been eager to return to the runway with up to 100 dogs anticipated to be there on the day.

“It started off as a bit of a joke from one of my staff members in 2018,” he said.

“We probably had about 30 dogs in the first year and the following year we had about 80 dogs and maybe 400 people.

“It is just a good day out even if you don’t have a dog it is worth coming down for a look.”

On the day, there will be a $5 entrance fee as well as donation boxes available with all the proceeds to be donated to GAWS and price matched by The Salty Dog Cafe.

Local dog wash company Furry Tails will also be set up on the day.

Applications to compete will need to be submitted and handed into staff by 3pm on May 30.