Massages for pups as Tel Aviv celebrates Dog Day

[TEL AVIV] Dog owners were given massages alongside their pups on Friday as the Israeli commercial capital of Tel Aviv celebrated its first festival for four-legged residents.

Hundreds of dogs and humans joined the festival, which was timed to coincide with Dog Day celebrations worldwide.

In addition to canine massages, children sat with their pets for joint portraits, and there was even a dog sushi stall.

Lectures on "dog emotions" took place, as did a workshop on canine homeopathy.

The city claims to be one of the most dog-friendly in the world, where it is common to take your pup to the restaurant, a party or even the office.

Research conducted by the city vet found that Tel Aviv has among the highest number of dogs per population, with one for every 17 residents, municipality spokeswoman Mira Marcus told AFP.

"In Tel Aviv's dog parks you will not see a lot of owners busy on their phones. Here it is a real community - people come to create a link between themselves and their dogs," resident and event organiser Tal Hollander, 32, said.

The municipality boasts more than 60 dog parks, including hydration stations, as well as 24/7 services for strays.

It also hosted a recent dog and owner showing of the Universal Pictures hit film "The Secret Life of Pets".

AFP