OREANDA-NEWS  On 15 October was announced, that this Saturday 18 October the BIG Match Show 2008 will take place in Tallinn, the largest annual charity dog show in Estonia, with all proceeds going to the homeless animal shelters in Kohtla-Jarve and Rakvere.

The 18 October event will begin at 11 o’clock at the Kristiine Sports Hall. Both pure-bred and mixed-breed dogs are invited to take part in the BIG Match Show in different categories according to their age and size – puppies, adults and seniors of above or below knee height. The show’s jury – comprising vet Kadri Kaaramees, dog trainer Tiia Ariko and breeder Haita-Maarit Zahharov – will judge the dogs on their appearance and behaviour and announce an overall winner.

The event will include various dog-related entertainments. The „Ole inimene” (“Be Human”) campaign will be represented there. Dog listeners will give useful advice on how to deal with problem animals. Dog dancers will perform and the Koerus dog sports club will demonstrate its training services: puppy school, agility training, dog show training and handler training. The Koerus crew is also planning something called Vaike Koerus, (Little Mischief), which will be a surprise. A DJ will provide suitable background music.

As part of the BIG Match Show this year, the Association of Estonian Dog Owners and BIG will for the first time give an award for the most dog-friendly deed of the year. This award can be given to one or several persons whose actions in the recent years have constituted a noteworthy contribution to the dog-keeping culture in Estonia, furthering good dog-keeping practices, increasing awareness of homeless animal problems and facilitating relevant solutions. The winner is selected by online voting of the candidates nominated for this contest.

All of the funds raised from this year’s BIG Match Show will be donated to the Rakvere and Kohtla-Jarve homeless animal shelters. The Rakvere shelter is in desperate need of new yards and repairs to kennel roofs, while in Kohtla-Jarve the shelter needs resources to deal with the dogs’ hygiene. The show visitors will also be able to make a material contribution to improving the homeless animal shelter living conditions by donating old blankets, coats and toys at the BIG Match Show collection points.

Preliminary registration for dog show participants is available on the website matchshow.big.ee. The preliminary registration fee for one dog is just 75 kroons, increasing to 150 kroons if registered on the day. Tickets for adult visitors to the show cost 50 kroons, while children and pensioners will be admitted free of charge.

Taking place for the fourth time, the BIG Match Show is an annual charity dog show, the largest of its kind in Estonia and the Baltic States. Its aim is to draw people’s attention to the problem of stray animals and possible solutions, as well as to support animal shelters across the country. The event is organised by the Baltic Investment Group Bank (BIG) in cooperation with the Association of Estonian Dog Owners.

For more information and comments please contact:

Aire-Piret Parn

Member of the Board

Association of Estonian Dog Owners

Mobile: +372-5555-5138

airepiret@koertekoda.net

Tanel Saag

Project Manager

Baltic Investment Group Bank

Phone: +372-668-1561

Mobile: +372-52-08842

tanel.saag@big.ee