Your best dogs in polling stations Photos

As millions of Britons flock to polling stations to cast their votes on election day, pets are also doing their part to mark the occasion: #dogsatpollingstations is once again trending on social media.

The modern phenomenon of people sharing pictures of their dogs (and occasionally cats, guinea pigs or rabbits) on Twitter and elsewhere took off on Thursday before the general election.

Since polls opened at 7am, the internet has been flooded with gorgeous pet photos, with celebrities and even politicians joining in. Londoners are also sharing the puppy love – perhaps even more excitingly in Barking and Battersea, if not Catford.

At 9am, #dogsatpollingstations was the second most searched term – only #generalelection2024 was better, prompting one Twitter user to comment: “That’s so British!”

Here you will find rules about what you can and cannot do with your dog in the polling station and the surrounding area.

Here are some of the best photos from around the internet or those you kindly sent us.

Don’t forget your voter ID

All voters are urged to avoid Boris Johnson’s mistake and bring valid ID.

Could the rule be extended to dogs? Some owners don’t take any risks!

“If the tag on his collar is not sufficient, he must take his vaccination record as proof,” was one of the comments heard in Walthamstow.

“Coalition of Chaos”: Here are some Labradors

The term that Theresa May so often uses to describe a Labour-led government was not part of the Tory rhetoric this time – but it could well describe these two Labradors.

However, these two Labradors below, one retired and one working guide dog, are less chaotic and are tasked with assisting their owner.

To stay on topic: Here are Knut and Maisie, the five-year-old Labrador siblings.

Owner Sue Simpson took her to the Memorial Hall in Plaxtol, Kent.

Maisie and Knut are brother and sister, but do not have the same color (Sue Simpson / Submitted)

And happy birthday from Teddy, who recently turned three. His owners Andy and Jane have extended his walk to the polls in Sutton Craven, West Yorkshire.

Teddy at the polling station in Sutton, West Yorkshire (User submitted)

Smile and sadness

Rajni Aldridge shared this photo of his dog Wilby to show his enthusiasm for the election in Barnes, where the Liberal Democrats are hoping to win.

Wilby looks delighted…

Here our 6-year-old Havanese Wilby shows his enthusiasm for the election in Barnes! (Rajni Aldridge / submitted)

The same cannot be said of Remy here, however; in his case, it must be a case of voter disillusionment.

Remy at the polls (David Lamb / submitted)

Voting intentions

Aparajita from Pimlico sent us this picture of her dog Toni.

“He is a rescued mixed-breed from Romania and therefore pro-EU and pro-immigration,” she said of Toni.

He is also wearing red and will be eagerly awaiting the post-election poll.

Toni waiting at the polling booth (User submitted / Aparajita)

The dachshund Maple is less biased – her facial expression gives nothing away, like that of a real politician.

Maple the Dachshund at the polling station this morning (April Atkin / submitted)

Separation anxiety

Hari the Cockapoo kept his owner company as he went to vote.

This is the latest entry on the Instagram page of the very photogenic dog.

High five for voting

Scarlett celebrated this victory for democracy with her retriever.

Assisted voting?

Being carried to the voting booth is a luxury that not everyone can afford, except for Pete’s retriever (despite the bias of this list, there are other dog breeds too…) to enjoy.

A lunar eclipse

Although Sadiq Khan is Mayor of London, he is not running for Parliament, but he does vote with his dog Luna.

First-time voters

Sky at the polling station in Bedfordshire (Kathleen Eggins / submitted)

Five-year-old rescue dog Sky (from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home) is voting in her first general election.

Her owner, Kathleen, seems to be keen to convey the importance of voting at a young age.

According to his owner Janina, the same goes for Arnie (below) in Plymouth.

First-time voter Arnie at the polling station in Plymouth (Janina Smietanka / user submitted)

Everyone smiles

Ellie, the 12-year-old former racing greyhound at the polling station at Meanwood Community Centre in Leeds (Cassie Ulph / submitted)

Ellie, the Leeds greyhound, seems delighted as she visits the polling station on her morning walk.

Basil waits patiently for his chance to vote (Talia Burrows / submitted)

Basil the Cockapoo smiled at owner Talia Burrows outside a polling station in Richmond.

But Soufflé may be happiest in her polling station in Westminster – sent in by Perdi Stoller.

Soufflé at her polling station in Westminster (Perdi Stoller / Submitted)

What a name!

Without outdoing the Basils and Ellies of the dog world, here is the majestically named Murphy Guinness Franklin-Harris.

The Sprocker Spaniel and his owner Rachel Franklin made their way to the Hampstead Heath polling station

Murphy seems excited about voting (Rachel Franklin / submitted)

Doug at a polling station

And finally, Doug at a polling station. This cool guy is even wearing sunglasses for the occasion.