First dog Major Biden to be honoured with ‘indoguration’ ceremony before moving to White House

Major Biden will be the first shelter dog to live in the White House

Animal shelter to host ‘indoguration’ for Major Biden ahead of White House move (Delaware Humane Association )

Future first dog Major Biden will receive an inauguration ceremony of his own before moving into his new home at the White House with his owners President-elect Joe Biden and future first lady Dr Jill Biden.

The “indogauration”, which will be hosted by the Delaware Humane Association (DHA), the animal shelter that Major was adopted from, and pet insurance company Pumpkin Petcare, will take place on 17 January, just three days before Mr Biden is sworn in on 20 January.

“We've got big, happy news to round out your week!!! Delaware Humane Association & Pumpkin Petcare invite you & your pup to the world's largest virtual party for dogs in honour of Major Biden's Indoguration!” the shelter wrote on Facebook. “Let's celebrate the first-ever shelter pup to become first dog and raise money to help more shelter animals like Major live the American Dream!”

The virtual ceremony will be hosted by the Today Show’s Jill Martin, with a $10 minimum donation required to join the event – with all proceeds going to the DHA.

According to the DHA, all funds raised will “help support the shelter’s vital pet and pet owner community services” and will “help more shelter animals like Major find their forever homes and spread awareness about the need to help pet owners who are financially struggling to care for their pets”.

On social media, the upcoming “indoguration”, which encourages both pet-owners and pet-lovers to attend, was met with support, with many praising the shelter for hosting the wholesome fundraiser.

“This level of wholesomeness is needed in the pandemic,” one person tweeted, while another said: “Awww, that’s pawsitively adorable!”

The future first family adopted Major, who will become the first shelter dog in the White House, in 2018. The Bidens also have another German shepherd, Champ, as well as a cat.

Although Major will become the first dog adopted from a shelter to live in the White House, he is not the first rescue pet to live at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

During President Lyndon B Johnson’s time in the White House, he also had a rescue dog, Yuki, a mixed breed who was found by Mr Johnson’s daughter Luci after he was abandoned at a gas station.

You can RSVP to attend Major’s “indoguration” here.