Saturday the College of Veterinary Medicine sponsored the 18th annual Dog Olympics in Moore Square in downtown Raleigh.

This was the Olympics’ first year in the downtown park as in years past it was held on the Vet School grounds or at the University Club. The charitable event benefits area rescue groups while promoting responsible dog ownership.

Event Coordinator Bobbi McQuown said there were complications with both past locations for this year’s event.  

“There was no shade at the University Club and the Vet School is currently under construction so we looked other places,” she said.  

Vet school sophomore Sarah Gunderson thinks the new location is the reason for a much bigger turnout.

“This year I’m really excited by the turnout, I think the venue had a lot to do with it,” she said.

The weather was another reason turnout was high, according to the President of the Carolina Border Collie Rescue group, Nancy Solum. This was the group’s fourth year attending and no complaints about the sun and cool temperature.  

“Moore Square is a beautiful location and the weather complimented it perfectly. This is a great facility and I’m glad the coordinators decided to move it here this year,” she said.

The turnout was higher than expected and McQuown said she received positive feedback from the attendants.  

McQuown the new vendors and added rescue groups brought more people out.

“We have two more rescue groups this year and some new informational booths. I think this is the growth and exposure people are looking for,” she said.

One new booth was .  

Representative Pamela Civile of the English Springer Rescue America group said the group had always attended the Vet School open house but this was their first year at the Olympics.

“This is a great place for dogs, their owners and anyone who is interested in owning a dog to come to. We never expected to see such a great turnout,” she said.

One returning booth that drew attention was the Raleigh Kennel Club’s free microchipping clinic. It has worked with the University’s Vet School for seven years to provide this service at the Olympics.

Raleigh Kennel Club Treasurer Bill Pfeiffer said the group has chipped more than 550 dogs during that time.

The Clinic expected to insert chips in more than 100 dogs on Saturday.

“We are involved because it helps a lot of dogs in a small period of time and by providing this service free of charge they can drive their proceeds back into the community,” he said.  

The American Kennel Club also attended. They sponsor the dog agility trials and introduced a mix breed membership program.

Overall the event was a success according to Coordinator McQuown.

“Anything that promotes human and animal bonding and brings out people with their dogs is a success,” she said.