Photos courtesy of Canine Cup.
The Canine Cup is now in its eighth year, returning to Adelaide this month for another round of tail-wagging adventures and dog races, and their luncheon is one you’ll definitely want to mark in your calendar.
The event is proudly brought to you by The Pet Butcher and Dogcity Daycare, two iconic canine-loving companies born and bred on South Aussie turf, and every ticket sold helps support SafePaws Haven – South Australia’s first 24/7 emergency pet boarding facility for the beloved pets of people in vulnerable situations – a joint initiative by Safe Pets Safe Families and Paws for Change.
“It’s all sorts of cuteness and chaos,” says one of the event’s organisers, Annie Leo, from Paws for Change.
“We have doggy races that we show on the big screen, in different categories, from ‘pocket rockets’ to ‘big dogs’ to ‘rescues’, and they run down a length from one owner to the other, and the results are hilarious,” she says.
More than just a fundraising event, the Canine Cup is a response to a very real and urgent gap in support services here in South Australia.
“Right now, in South Australia alone, more than 100 domestic violence incidents are reported every day. Around 70% of households have pets, and for many people experiencing violence, those animals are not just companions – they are family,” says Annie.
“At its core, The Canine Cup recognizes that pets are family. And families should never have to choose between safety and the ones they love. Ongoing fundraising is essential to ensure SafePaws Haven can operate as a 24/7 emergency service — providing immediate, secure care for pets when their owners need to escape crisis situations. Without sustained support, this critical safety net simply cannot exist.”
The event has been given a new date and a new location this year, acting as a standalone event rather than taking place over the same hectic weekend as the Adelaide Cup.
Offering a quirky – yet still glamorous! – take on the traditional races, featuring loads of cute doggos and a few wonderfully “chaotic” pre-filmed games of recall, you can watch the stars on the big screen, meet some in person, and take part in fun and friendly sweeps throughout the day.
Come wearing your stylish best and start with a glass of bubbles, easing your way into the action and being sure to pose on the red carpet for snapshots. The lunch includes a fully catered sit-down meal with a hefty side of entertainment, including market stalls, a pamper lounge by Reb Cosmetics, a live sketch artist, palm reader, unlimited photo booth fun, and some incredible auction prizes.
If we haven’t convinced you already, there are also some promos exclusively for Glam readers.
Book using the code ‘GLAM’ and you will be automatically entered into the draw for a VIP prize pack, including a $100 Paws for Change voucher (the best dog-parent apparel going). Planning to book with friends or colleagues? Get the gang together, and you can book a group of 6 using the code ‘GLAMTEAM’, which is 6 tickets for the price of 5, so one ticket is completely free.
A classy afternoon of fun and festivities for a truly worthy cause, The Canine Cup Luncheon is all about celebrating the endless joys that dogs bring to our lives, and lending a helping paw to those that are doing it tough.
Be sure to book your tickets asap for this one – you’d be barking mad to miss it!
The 2026 Canine Cup Luncheon
When: Sunday 17 May, from 12pm – 4pm
Where: Jackson Square, Hindmarsh SA
For more information or to book tickets, click here.
