As we gear up for the holidays, let’s put our paws in the air for some canine adventures. This busy time of year is best for spending some quality time with your pup. Here are a few November 2017 dog events to celebrate accordingly!
November Holiday Pet Observances: Adopt a Senior Pet, Pet Cancer Awareness, National Pet Diabetes Month
All month event: Home 4 the Holiday
Be a part of this global three-month pet adoption drive dedicated to finding happy, loving homes for orphan pets. Over 4,000 pet adoption agencies and rescue groups from the United States and 24 other countries participate — a huge jump from the 14 participating animal shelters in San Diego County that started it all. President and CEO of Helen Woodward Animal Center Mike Arms started the campaign 19 years ago asking shelters to keep their doors open through the holidays — when they traditionally closed — because it’s a prime time of year when families add a pet to the home. The event is also sponsored by Blue Buffalo, who will distribute 600,000 pet adoption kits to participating shelter and rescue organizations. You can help by adopting or encouraging friends to adopt and then showing the world your newly adopted best friend by posting a photo at https://animalcenter.org/home-4-the-holidays/, or sharing on Twitter or Instagram with #IChoseToRescue and tagging @hwac and @bluebuffalo.
Saturday, Nov. 4: Paws for a Cause 5K & 1-Mile Walk
Affiliated Veterinary Specialists (AVS) will hold its 2nd annual fundraising 5K and 1-mile walk in Nocatee, Florida. Funds help area pets get the medical attention they need. Besides adoptable pets and vendors, there will also be photo booths, demonstrations, face painting and more. Head to avspethospitals.com for more information.
Saturday, Nov. 4: Dox-a-Palooza
Join Dachshund Adoption, Rescue & Education (DARE) for its 12th annual Weiner dog event. There will be a parade of fosters, a costume contest, king and queen contest plus coronation, rainbow bridge tribute and live auction. Of course, don’t miss the Weiner Races at 2:30 p.m. The event goes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Lakeland, Florida. Find more information on daretorescue.com.
Saturday, Nov. 4: People, Pets & Vets
Check out this great educational experience, where you can see, touch and learn about different animals, plus talk to veterinarians and other animal care providers. Animals in attendance will range from dogs to reptiles, bird to llamas, and sugar gliders to wild animals. Exhibits include dentistry, micro-chipping, surgery, emergency care and lots more. Children can take “wounded” stuffed animals to the Teddy Bear Clinic for surgery. This experience, which is sponsored by the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association, is a humans-only event because of all the other animals that will be there. The event takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Clinton Township, Michigan. Find more information on michvma.org.
November 5-11: National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week
Show your local shelter some appreciation and volunteer!
Saturday, Nov. 11: Walk & Wag for Veterans 2017
Looking to make a difference in the lives of disabled veterans? Take part in this 5th annual walk, which also features a Yappy Hour Doggie Bar, food, music, face painting, Frisbee dogs, balloon animals, a raffle and silent auction. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m at the Great Brook Farm State Park in Carlisle, Massachusetts, and all proceeds benefit Operation Delta Dog. Click over to walkandwagforveterans.com for more information.
Saturday and Sunday, November 11-12: The Connecticut Pet Expo
Check out The Connecticut Pet Expo. Photo Courtesy of American Pet Professionals
Yes, bring your well-behaved leashed pets to check out the Expo’s many vendors, entertaining and educational performances, pet adoptions and attractions. Event runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday at the XL Center in Hartford CT. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children 4 to 12 (under 3 are free).
Friday, Nov. 17: Macy’s Holiday Windows
Looking for a new holiday tradition? Starting today through the end of 2017, Macy’s in San Francisco will again be home to Holiday Windows, where the San Francisco SPCA highlights different adoptable cats and dogs in beautifully decorated store window fronts. Last year, the SF SPCA adopted out more than more than 800 animals over the course of Holiday Windows 2016. Go to holiday.sfspca.org for details.
Saturday, Nov. 18: Bark Back Benefit III
Six bands and two stages come together to benefit the Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League. Along with the live music, you’ll find vendors, food trucks, raffles and lots of adoptable pets. (This event is humans only, for the safety of the adoptable animals.) The event takes place in Lake Worth, Florida, from 6-11 p.m. Check out eventbrite.com for further information.
Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 18-19: The Kennel Club of Philadelphia’s National Dog Show, presented by Purina
For dog lovers, Thanksgiving season starts with The Kennel Club of Philadelphia’s National Dog Show, presented by Purina. If you’ve only watched it on television, this is the year to get to the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks on Saturday, November 18th and Sunday, November 19th. Can’t make it to Philly? Then it makes for perfect TV viewing when it broadcasts on Thanksgiving Day (noon to 2 p.m. on NBC). Circle round to nds.nationaldogshow.com for more information.
Saturday, Nov. 25: Santa Paws, North Carolina
Time to snap a pic of your pup in his best holiday outfit! At Santa Paws in Cornelius, North Carolina, your dog’s photo with Santa means a donation to Carolina Big Hearts Big Barks Rescue. The event takes place at Lucky Dog Bark and Brew.
Thursday, Nov. 30: Santa Paws, San Francisco
Get a photo of Santa with your dog along with treats and greets from mini horse Cocoa and pig LiLou. Tickets are $45 (covers two people and two dogs with one photo), and a portion of the proceeds benefits the SF SPCA. This event is held on the 6th Floor Holiday Lane of Macy’s Union Square in San Francisco, California. Get more information on eventbrite.com.
Thumbnail: Photography ©Leoba | Thinkstock.
Stay tuned for more from Executive Editor Melissa L. Kauffman on Dogster.com’s Dug Up at Dogster column and on social media with #DogUpatDogster.
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