As millions of Brits head to the polls to vote on election day, pets are also playing their part in the occasion with #dogsatpollingstations once again trending on social media.
The modern phenomenon of people sharing pics of their dogs (and the occasional cat, guinea pig or rabbit) on Twitter and beyond has taken hold on Thursday for the general election.
The internet has been flooded with great images of pets since the polls opened at 7am with celebrities and even politicians getting involved. Londoners too are sharing the puppy love — perhaps with even more excitement in Barking and Battersea, if not Catford.
As of 9am, #dogsatpollingstations was the second highest trending search term - behind only #generalelection2024, prompting one Twitter user to comment: “This is so British!”
This is so British.
— Craig Miles🌐 (@acraigmiles) July 4, 2024
You've only been able to vote today, for 23 minutes, and already #dogsatpollingstations is trending ❤️ pic.twitter.com/X2tIH3Pk4S
Here are the rules for what you can and cannot do with your dog in and around a polling station.
Here are some of the best photos from the internet or kindly sent in to us.
Don’t forget your voter ID
Don’t forget your voter ID tomorrow.#DogsAtPollingStations pic.twitter.com/3ed69h0CP4
— #DogsAtPollingStations (@VotingDogs) July 3, 2024
All voters are urged to avoid Boris Johnson’s mistake and bring a valid form of ID.
Could the rule stretch to dogs as well? Some owners are taking no chances!
“He’ll need to take his vaccination certificate as proof if the tag on his collar isn’t good enough,” was one overheard comment in Walthamstow.
“Coalition of chaos”: Here are some labradors
Coalition of chaos. #dogsatpollingstations pic.twitter.com/aiBRhhXbti
— VAR (@bloody_var) July 4, 2024
The term so often branded about by Theresa May to describe a Labour-led government has not been part of the Tory rhetoric this time — but it might perfectly describe these two labradors.
These two labradors below, one retired and one working guide dog, are less chaotic - however - and are on duty to help their owner.
Continuing the theme, here are Knut & Maisie, five year old brother and sister labradors.
Owner Sue Simpson brought them along with her to the Memorial Hall in Plaxtol, Kent.
And it’s a happy birthday to Teddy, who has recently turned three. His owners Andy and Jane extended his walk to vote in Sutton Craven, West Yorkshire.
Smiles and sadness
Rajni Aldridge shared this picture of his dog Wilby showing his enthusiasm for voting in Barnes where the Lib Dems are hoping to win.
Wilby looks delighted...
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But the same cannot be said for Remy, here, who must have a case of voter apathy.
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Voting intentions
Aparajita in Pimlico has sent us this picture of her dog Toni.
“He is a mixed-breed rescue from Romania, and is therefore pro-EU and pro-immigration,” she said of Toni.
He is wearing red as well and will be anxiously waiting for the exit poll.
Less partisan is Maple the Dachshund here - her expression giving nothing away, like a true politician.
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Separation anxiety
Hari the cockapoo was kept company as his owner went to vote.
This is the latest entry to the very photogenic canine’s Instagram page.
High five for voting
Paw fives for anyone getting their votes in early this morning 🐾 #DogsAtPollingStations #GE24 #generalection2024 pic.twitter.com/l8mPqlt1bc
— Scarlett (@scarlettf30) July 4, 2024
Scarlett celebrated this win for democracy with her retriever.
Assisted voting?
#dogsatpollingstations
— Pete Durrant (@petedurrant) July 4, 2024
Whatever you do today, make sure you vote! pic.twitter.com/yG7zlpIcwn
Being carried to the polling booth is a luxury not afforded to all but one that Pete’s retriever (other dog types do exist despite the bias of this list …) has come to enjoy.
A Luna eclipse
Change only happens if you vote for it.
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) July 4, 2024
A reminder to vote - and bring photo ID - featuring Luna! 🐕https://t.co/fJip0tbQ7b#dogsatpollingstations #GE24 pic.twitter.com/G589TfwNAt
Being Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan is not standing to be an MP but he’s out to vote with his dog, Luna.
First-time voter
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Five-year-old rescue dog Sky (from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home) is taking part in her first general election.
It seems her owner, Kathleen, is keen to encourage the importance of voting from a young age.
The same is true of Arnie (below) in Plymouth, according to his owner Janina.
All smiles
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Ellie the greyhound, in Leeds, looks delighted to be taking in the polling station on her morning walk.
Basil the cockapoo smiled to owner Talia Burrows outside a polling station in Richmond.
But happiest of the lot might be Soufflé at her polling station in Westminster - as sent in by Perdi Stoller.
What a name!
With no shade to the Basils and Ellies of the dog world - behold the regally named Murphy Guinness Franklin-Harris.
The sprocker spaniel made his way to Hampstead Heath polling station with his owner Rachel Franklin
Doug at a polling station
#DogsAtPollingStations #DougsAtPollingStations pic.twitter.com/nmqfXq2ENR
— TechnicallyRon (On all the platforms) (@TechnicallyRon) July 4, 2024
And finally, here is a Doug at a polling station. This cool dude even has sunglasses for the occasion.
