Beth’s Dog Show comes to Kent

Beth’s Dog Show events have been running in Kent for the last eight years and during that time its supporters have raised £120,000 for two charities close to the organiser’s hearts. The Sarah Kitchener Perrow Fund (Brain Tumour Charity) and German Shepherd Rescue South both benefit from the events and local people can demonstrate their support by attending one of three fun dog shows this summer at Penshurst on 17^th June, East Malling on 24^th June and Greenways on 21^st July.

The Greenways event is sure to be popular with those with a dog they think could be destined for stardom as it also hosts a qualifier for Scruffts – the Kennel Club’s premier class for crossbred dogs – with the final set to take place at Crufts in March.

Locals can support the events by going along to watch – there is a small entry fee – entering their dog in a class, donating a tombola prize, or volunteering to help run the show and car park. It’s even possible to sponsor a class for just £10 and many do so in memory of a much loved family pet. For those intending to show their dog in the future, it’s a great starting point and the show is also for fun with classes such as ‘My dog’s got talent’, fancy dress and ‘eyes that melt the heart’. There are goody bags, rosettes and cups for the winners on the day.

Organiser David Knight explains how his family came to be involved, “My cousin Sarah was just 27 years old when she passed away from a brain tumour in 2010. During four years of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy she never lost her positive attitude and we all felt that we needed to ensure that something good came out of such a terrible and tragic event. We set up Beth’s Dog Show which was named after a special dog we obtained through German Shepherd Rescue South and it seemed fitting to also support the volunteers there who help German Shepherd Dogs find new and loving homes – usually caring for around 30 dogs in foster homes and private kennels at any one time.”

Beth didn’t live long enough to see the shows grow to their current size – after a terrible start in life she enjoyed 14 happy years with David, reaching a ripe old age of almost 17. Her memory lives on though in the shows and David and his family have now rehabilitated another rescue dog, Angel who will be meeting and greeting people at the show.

Sarah’s mum Nicola Kitchener will also be attending the show and says Sarah would have been thrilled to see what has been achieved by the shows over the years.

This year, the shows are benefiting from sponsorship from Butchers dog food and David’s employer, wholesaler Vital Pet Trade but more help is always needed. More information is available at www.bethsdogshow.co.uk

More information about the Sarah Kitchener Perrow Fund is available at

https://www.thebraintumourcharity.org/get-involved/our-supporter-groups/supporter-groups/groups/the-sarah-kitchener-perrow-fund/

Find out more about German Shepherd Rescue South at http://www.german-shepherd-rescue-hampshire.org.uk/

Press contact: Susan McKay, Companion Consultancy, tel 07887 515870, email susan@companionconsultancy.com