According to the official National Dog Day Website, August 26 is the day “Pet & Family Lifestyle Expert, Animal Rescue Advocate, Conservationist, Dog Trainer and Author, Colleen Paige” adopted her first dog as a young child. In 2004, she declared the day as National Dog Day, and the rest is history. National Dog Day is a day to honor all dogs and encourage humans to adopt a furry friend.
Here’s your guide to celebrating National Dog Day in the River Region.
Fun Activities for Dogs
Go to a Biscuits baseball game.
There’s not a Bark in the Park event on August 26, but they’re happening on August 22 and September 5, so you can celebrate National Dog Day with your pup a little early or a little late. Leashed furry friends are welcome to attend Biscuits games on Bark in the Park Sundays.
Take a trip to the dog park.
There are several dog parks located around the River Region that your pup is sure to love. Taking a trip to the dog park is the perfect way to celebrate National Dog Day— you can spend quality time with your pet and they’ll have a blast playing with you and other dogs.
Here are a few dog parks located in the River Region.
Hannah Daye Ridling Dog Park – Montgomery
Located in Blount Cultural Park, this 5-acre dog park is a great spot for your pet to burn off some energy. There are specially designated sides for large and small dogs, shade pavilions, benches, and even a wash pad for muddy pups.
Rotary Park – Montgomery
Downtown residents will love this conveniently located (and fairly new!) dog park, featuring doggy water fountains and separate sections for large and small dogs.
Cooter’s Pond – Prattville
Situated on the banks of the Alabama River, Cooter’s Pond Park is the perfect place to let your pup off the leash to run and play. It features a large fenced-in area with shade and drinking fountains.
Neighborhood Bark Parks
- The Waters
- Woodland Creek
- Hampstead
Pet-Friendly Stores
What better way to celebrate National Dog Day than with a shopping spree? Pets are welcome at the Shoppes at EastChase as long as they’re well-behaved and on a leash. Certain stores in the shopping area allow dogs— just keep an eye out for the paw print decal in their windows.
Here’s a list of some more chain stores in the area that are pet-friendly according to Rover and BarkPost. We suggest calling ahead of time and asking just to be safe, though.
- Home Depot
- Lowes
- PetSmart
- Tractor Supply Co.
- Bass Pro Shops
- Academy Sports + Outdoors
- Michaels
- Hobby Lobby
- Bath & Body Works
- Old Navy
Pet-Friendly Restaurants
Here are just a few restaurants (according to BringFido) in the River Region that have pet-friendly areas. As long as your dog is on a leash and well-behaved, take them out on a lunch date to celebrate National Dog Day!
The Tipping Point is located in Montgomery’s Hampstead and has a dog-friendly patio and a delicious menu selection for humans to choose from.
Capitol Oyster Bar, located in Downtown Montgomery, has a covered deck overlooking the river that pets are welcome to hang out on.
All Chappy’s Deli locations in the River Regions have outdoor patio seating where four-legged friends are welcome. According to one BringFido reviewer, the employees even snuck their pups a few fries! Talk about great customer service.
The Cork & Cleaver, located in Midtown Montgomery, offers pet-friendly patio seating for humans and their furry friends.
After you order inside at Newk’s, have a seat on the patio with your pup and enjoy a sandwich together. Just make sure you have somewhere to leave your dog outside while you’re ordering!
Several of the Chicken Salad Chick locations in the River Region offer outdoor patio seating for well-behaved pups.
Grumpy Dog in Downtown Wetumpka has plenty of outdoor picnic tables where owners and their leashed pets are welcomed and encouraged to sit while they dine.
River Region Animal Shelters
One of the best ways you can celebrate National Dog Day is by adopting a new furry family member and saving them from a life spent in the shelter. Alternatively, you could spend the day volunteering at any one of these shelters to show the adoptable pets there how loved they are. Here are the shelters in our area. Even if you can’t adopt a dog or take the whole day to give back, donations are appreciated.
Montgomery Humane Society
1150 John Overton Drive, Montgomery, AL 36110
(334) 409-0622
Mission/ Purpose: The Montgomery Humane Society temporarily houses homeless and abandoned pets and works to find loving permanent homes for them. It also focuses on educating the public about responsible pet ownership.
Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteers are needed at the shelter and at offsite adoption events. Responsibilities include walking dogs, cleaning kennels, and more. Volunteers as young as 8 can serve with their parents or guardians.
Donation Requests:
- Cleaning supplies
- Kitty litter
- Dog and cat food
- Puppy and kitten formula
- Grooming supplies
- Bath towels
- Newspaper and long shredded paper
Humane Society of Elmore County
255 Central Plank Road, Wetumpka, AL 36092
(334) 567-3377
Mission/ Purpose: The Humane Society of Elmore County temporarily houses homeless pets and works to find loving permanent homes for them. It also focuses on educating the public about responsible pet ownership, stopping pet overpopulation, and preventing animal cruelty.
Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteers are needed to help with administrative tasks, food deliveries, and more.
Donation Requests:
- Peanut butter
- Grits
- Oatmeal
- Cereal
- Other food staples
Prattville/Autauga Humane Society (PAHS)
1009 Reuben Road, Prattville, AL 36066
(334) 358-2882
Mission/ Purpose: PAHS temporarily houses homeless pets and works to find loving permanent homes for them. It also works to reunite lost pets with their owners and educate the public about responsible pet ownership.
Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteers are needed to help with facilitating adoptions, cleaning the shelter, caring for animals, and more. Fosters are also needed to temporarily house pets.
Donation Requests:
- Bleach
- Laundry detergent
- Cat litter
- Kitten and puppy chow
- Dog and cat toys
- Blankets and towels
- Paper towels
- Latex gloves