When a group of radio operators begin calling “CQ International Dog Day” in August, they’re not just looking for QSOs. They are in search of people who have room in their hearts to help the abandoned, abused and homeless dogs around the world in whatever way they can. These dozen or so special event operators know the power of rescue because they’ve been deeply involved in it themselves: Hanz YL3JD and his wife opened their home – first in Holland, later in Latvia – and have given needy dogs a second chance at a new family. In Australia, and later in Germany, Ed DD5LP and his wife discovered – several times – that their household was incomplete without canine company. Many of the other operators’ rescued dogs were adopted after hard lives on the street; others were at the pound, hours away from being euthanized. International Dog Day (and in the US, National Dog Day) is August 26 every year. The tradition was created by US pet advocate Colleen Paige as a day to recognise the needs of society’s unwanted and cast-off dogs and affirm the commitment to adopt, donate or raise awareness of their special needs. Hanz amplified the original message by adding an amateur radio component in 2022, taking the special-event callsign YL1DOG and operating as a single station. The following year he was joined by Chris, G5VZ, and David, G4YVM, in the UK. By 2024, a team of eight US rescue-dog advocates, operating as K2D, had come on board. This year is the biggest yet, as hams in Germany and other countries run with the pack. All operators will be looking to hear from dog-lovers and supporters in either CW or SSB on HF, on VHF/UHF simplex, or via DMR and Echolink. The international team has added incentive certificates, including special endorsements such as “Full Kennel,” the equivalent of a clean sweep. Their website, dogdayradio.org, is updated regularly with the operators’ special-event callsigns, their operating schedules, a chance to meet the dogs who inspired them and hear their stories. In case you are wondering where the cats are – well, they’re running ahead of the dogs! International Cat Day will be operating as a separate event, two weeks before the Dog Day operators get on the air – and they will be carrying a similar message for cat-rescue awareness. See catdayradio.org for details. For live updates of both events, to search for the different callsigns, to see the operators’ schedules or to apply for and download award certificates visit these links when they become available: https://hamlog.online/icd https://hamlog.online/idd Meanwhile, be aware that all special-event operators will be working like dogs – and why not? – because they want to hear and share as many rescue stories as they can.
Many dogs need your love. Google “Dog rescue” and the area you live in to start a search for the best friend you will ever have. If you need help looking be sure to reach out.
We have hopes too that this event can keep growing as more operators from other countries join the international team in years to come!
Hi Dave, Actually, one of the Special Event stations for International Cat Day is already on the air, GB9CAT out of the UK, he has a licence that started a couple of days ago and runs for 4 weeks. Most stations are August 1st through 31st, with the US stations only being allowed shorter allocations, so expect to see W1C on the clusters very soon, as well as YL1CAT, DA0CAT, DL0CAT, and GB4CAT for International Cat Day. On the dog side, for International Dog Day, K2D will be active from the 20-26th August, with YL1DOG, GB4DOG, DA0DOG and DL0DOG active for the whole month. 73 Ed DD5LP
Up and Running! Keep a look out on the clusters for the Special Event Stations or for an overview of who is on, on which band/mode - go to hamlog.online/idd Run with the Dogs! 73 Ed.
