Furry Fun This Fall

Posted on by Listify Me

The Dog Days of summer may be drawing to an end, but the furry fun is not over yet! The fall features some great events for dogs and their humans right here in our local area. Attending any one of these events is a perfect way to enjoy the cooler fall weather, while having a grand time with your furry family member.

Each of these events features so much for family members of all ages (and canine varieties) to enjoy that it will be hard to know where to start. You could spend all day and still not get to see and do everything!

For those who plan to make a dog’s day out of any of these events, here are some pointers:

  • Things to bring to ensure your dog’s comfort include: water and bowl for drinking, some treats, a towel, a blanket or bed, and a suitable collar and fixed six-foot canvas or leather leash (most events and some local towns do not allow Flexi-leads).
  • Don’t forget to bring poop bags and be sure to clean up after your dog. Not only is it the polite thing to do, it is required by local town ordinance and by all event coordinators.
  • The fall can still feature some hot days. Whatever you do, please don’t leave your dog in the car if the temperature is above 70 degrees. The temperature in a vehicle, even with the windows cracked, can quickly top 100 degrees, causing extreme discomfort, illness and even death.
  • All of the listed events feature lots of great animal related and other type vendors. Each also features some type of raffle and/or silent auction. Don’t forget to bring some spending money!
  • The top two events are held in support of animal charities. One asks attendees to bring donations of pet food and pet care items, while both feature donation boxes and other fund raising efforts for local animal charities. Please be generous and help support your local animal shelters and rescue groups.
  • Stay-at-home dogs: please consider whether your dog is suited to attending an event. If your dog has a contagious condition, is not feeling well, is elderly, is under 4 months of age (and so has not completed the puppy series of vaccinations) or is a female in heat, please leave her or him at home. If your dog is afraid of or aggressive toward other dogs or people, he or she would also be happier at home. This doesn’t mean that you can’t come along to enjoy the event, though. Just remember to buy or win something great to take home for your dog to enjoy!

Applause For Paws – An AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day:

  • When:  Saturday, September 10th from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • Where:  The Riverwalk, Canal Street, Shelton
  • Who:  Hosted by the Trap Falls Kennel Club
  • Web:  http://trapfalls.org/Club_Events.html
  • Features:  AKC Obedience and Rally Matches/Demos, Police Dog and Search and Rescue Demos, AKC Canine Good Citizen Testing, Micro chipping, Face Painting, Meet the Breeds, Vendors, Animal Adoption Groups and more!
  • NOTE:  Attendance at this event is free; however attendees are encouraged to bring donations of pet food and pet care items such as pet toys, treats, collars, leashes and cat litter.  All donations will be distributed through the Presents 4 Pets program to local animal shelters and rescue groups.  Visit http://www.p4pct.org for details.

The 6th Annual Fall Festival to Benefit Animals
(Formerly Known as the STARS Dog Walk Festival)

  • When: Saturday, October 8th from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Rain date is October 9th)
  • Where:  Paradise Green, Stratford, CT
  • Who:  Hosted by the Stratford Animal Rescue Society
  • Web:  http://www.starsfest.com/
  • Features:  Pet Adoptions , Microchip Clinic, Silent Auction, People Pet Vendors/Crafters, Food, Contests, Celebrities, Canine Demos, Music, Games, Free Ice Cream and more.  This event also features a one-mile Dog Walk.
  • NOTE:  Attendance at this event is free; however, there is a fee to participate in the Dog Walk, with the proceeds going to charity.

The 20th Annual CT Pet Show TICA Cat Show

  • When:  October 8th 9th from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  • Where:  Connecticut Convention Center, 100 Columbus Blvd, Hartford, CT
  • Who:  Sponsored by Petco and the Petco Foundation and the CT Humane Society
  • Web:  http://jenksproductions.com/ctpet.html
  • Features:  AKC Meet the Breeds, Rare and Ancient Dog Breeds Show, K-9 Obedience Demonstration and K-9 Frisbee, plus the TICA Cat Show and over 125 vendors offering pet-related items for sale, demonstrations and exhibits.
  • NOTE:  This event is held mostly indoors and may best be attended without your furry friend, unless he or she is competing in one of the many shows.  There is a fee for attending this event:  Adults $8, seniors $7, 12 under $4.

The above are just a few of the many pet-related events held locally during the fall months.  Check your local media for other events in your area.  Two great websites you can use to find out about dog-friendly events are as follows:

Both sites have pages dedicated to listing dog-friendly events. They also feature listings of local businesses, parks, hiking trails, etc. that welcome your canine companion.

The fall is a beautiful time of the year and the cooler weather makes outdoor activities more enjoyable for both humans and dogs. Weather it is attending one of the neat events listed above, hiking the local trails or playing doggie games at the park, please be sure to take the time this fall to enjoy some furry fun with your canine companion.

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