Get Paws-itive and Celebrate Rescue Dogs With DOGust By Writer and Contributor Emily McGinn
It’s officially DOGust again — and that means it is time to celebrate the birthdays of some furry friends. DOGust, celebrated on Aug. 1, acts as an unofficial birthday for all the dogs in shelters, who often do not have documentation of their official date of birth.
Nearly 3 million dogs entered shelters last year, according to ASPCA. And DOGust is all about recognizing them. To celebrate the holiday, several businesses and shelters in the area have exciting promotions and events throughout the month.
If you are a dog owner, you will not want to miss the lineup of promotions and events that Petco is rolling out through August in a tandem effort to celebrate Dogust and Petco’s own 60th birthday. After hosting treat giveaways and adoptions earlier this month to kick off the celebration, Petco is offering $10 off supplies with a $45 Hill's purchase through Aug. 10 in-store and through Aug. 15 online. There will also be in-store tasting throughout the month, including Stella & Chewy's on Aug. 9, Instinct on Aug. 23, and Merrick or JustFoodForDogs on Aug. 30. There will also be a special event on Aug. 16 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Petco locations where the first 60 customers will receive a free gift bag with a reusable tote and dog/cat toys and treats. There will also be extreme discounts and a dehydrated food tasting event from The Honest Kitchen.
If you want to make a trek down to San Diego, Petco is hosting a family-friendly event for people and their dogs at Gallagher Square at Petco Park. Attendees can enjoy a viewing of “The Sandlot” with their furry companions. Adult tickets are $15 and dog tickets are $5 (you can check them out here).
In honor of DOGust, LA Animal Services will be offering discounts on adoptions throughout the month at its six LA City shelters. Through Aug. 15 and from Aug. 18-31, dogs will have a $20 fee (with additional license fees), and adoption fees will be waived for cats.
And if you’re a chocolate lover, See’s Candies is rolling out its own promotion. It is partnering with animal welfare organization the 15/10 Foundation to celebrate DOGust. It has plenty of limited-edition treats for you and your dogs, including the DOGust Assorted Chocolates package (for humans only!), the Doggie-ettes squeaky toy (which you can get for just $6 with select purchases) and free in-shop exclusive dog biscuits for your dog throughout August.
If DOGust has you in a paws-itive mood and you are feeling generous, you can donate to the Home for Good Dog Rescue. With just a $5 donation during August, you can provide a shelter dog with a snack or toy as a birthday treat.
Remember to celebrate your furry friends this month and take time to think about the dogs in shelters!
Bio:
Emily McGinn is a journalist based in the Los Angeles area. She enjoys reporting on and writing about a variety of topics from lifestyle to news, especially in her areas of specialty, environmental science and political science.