DogFest has named the National Foundation for Retired Service Animals (NFRSA) as its official charity partner for 2026, bringing the welfare of retired working animals into focus at the Oxfordshire festival.
The event takes place at Blenheim Palace on Saturday 03 and Sunday 04 October, with visitors able to make an optional donation to the charity when purchasing tickets and take part in fundraising activities during the weekend.
The NFRSA supports the ongoing care and welfare of retired service animals that have worked alongside the UK’s emergency services. Its work includes helping with essential veterinary costs for animals whose working lives have come to an end.
Among those representing the charity at Blenheim will be Marley, a 13-year-old Labrador who spent seven years working with the Border Force Dog Unit at Heathrow.
Marley joined Border Force at one year old and was trained to detect tobacco products, products of animal origin, including meat, fish and dairy, and endangered species. He retired at eight and now lives with his former handler, Sam, who is a Service Ambassador for the NFRSA.
For Sam, the charity provides reassurance for handlers facing the costs that can accompany a working animal’s retirement. “I’m very lucky Marley hasn’t yet needed the help of the NFRSA,” Sam said. “But if that day comes, it is a huge comfort knowing support will be there.”
Sam and Marley will be at DogFest at the Palace in October to represent the charity and meet visitors.
The NFRSA currently supports nearly 700 retired service animals across the UK, including more than 50 Border Force detection dogs. Since it was founded in 2022, the charity says it has awarded more than £320,000 in grants to support retired service animals.
The organisation was established to help animals that have worked with the UK’s emergency services receive appropriate care after retirement, when veterinary and other costs can become a financial concern for their handlers.
“At DogFest, we celebrate the incredible bond between dogs and humans, and so we’re honoured to partner with the National Foundation for Retired Service Animals for 2026,” said Sam Matthews, Marketing Director at DogFest.
“These remarkable animals have given so much in service to our communities, and this partnership allows us and our visitors to give something back.”
The Countess Bathurst, founder and chair of the NFRSA, said the partnership would provide an opportunity to raise awareness of the charity’s work while generating further support for retired service animals.
DogFest describes itself as a celebration of dogs and the relationship between people and their pets. The Blenheim Palace event will bring that theme to an Oxfordshire setting while highlighting the working lives of animals that have served alongside the country’s emergency services.
Visitors attending DogFest at the Palace on 03 and 04 October will be able to support the NFRSA through ticket donations and fundraising activities at the event.
