A hugely popular and free community event for dogs and dog-lovers returns to New Canaan this weekend.
New Canaan Dog Days will be held 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 1 at the New Canaan Nature Center (register here).
Organized and run by Pet Pantry Warehouse on Grove Street, the family-friendly New Canaan Dog Days is a fundraiser for Adopt-A-Dog.
We caught up with Pet Pantry Executive Vice President Adam Jacobson to talk about this year’s event.
Here’s our exchange.
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New Canaanite: Tell us a little bit about what’s new at New Canaan Dog Days this year, and what fun activities are returning.
The lure course at Dog Days New Canaan, held May 4, 2024 in the New Canaan Nature Center. Credit: Michael Dinan
Adam Jacobson: What’s new. . . there will be wallabies, Joeys and capybaras for everyone to meet. Niagara Downunder is joining the festivities. You can come to Dog Days and cuddle with a joey. For all the ball-loving dogs, there is a scavenger hunt, “Bonkers for Balls” with loaded prize tables for the dogs who can find the hidden tennis balls. And if hidden tennis balls weren’t enough, there will be a big ball pit for the dogs and owners to play in. Our returning activities include lure coursing, the great give-away Bone Bar, pet food vendors with samples of quality food, the Ice Cream PAWlour, face painter, caricature artist and local pet-related businesses available to share their expertise. And most importantly, visit with the local rescue organizations.
What makes Pet Pantry Warehouse want to take on the work of putting on this community event?
The Pet Pantry “Barktenders” at Dog Days 2023. Credit: Michael Dinan
We truly love and appreciate the communities we serve. In order to make a meaningful impact we do everything we can to assist organizations that support people and pets in our local communities. One way in which we do this as part of our Community Giveback program is to carry on the legacy of the local “Dog Days” event. Thanks to our wonderful sponsors we can produce this free event for the local community and make monetary donations to wonderful local organizations such as The New Canaan Nature Center & Adopt-A-Dog as the primary recipients. This venue also allows us to bring together other local businesses who share the same values as Pet Pantry.
Odie Gilbert of New Canaan at Dog Days 2022. Credit: Michael Dinan
These events are truly a labor of love for us. There is nothing better than to see so many faces full of smiles along with happy wagging tails. It gives us a real sense of purpose and meaning within our company and lets us feel that we are an integral part of the town of New Canaan.
PPW has been serving the New Canaan community for nearly a decade with its store on Grove Street. What’s your impression of New Canaan residents as pet owners?
The pups—including 5-month-old Scrabble Suldhal of New Canaan, pictured here—got a cold treat at Pet Pantry’s “Ice Cream Pawlor,” at Dog Days New Canaan, held May 4, 2024 in the New Canaan Nature Center. Credit: Michael Dinan
Our New Canaan customers are the best. It is impressive to experience their dedication to their animal companions. . . making certain they are fed well, given good treats and chews and providing quality, comfortable beds, to name only a few. Pet Pantry is dedicated to filling our stores with products that improve the quality of animal’s lives.
What would you say about Dog Days to a local dog owner who has never been there?
Dog Days is Pet Pantry’s gift to New Canaan. The event is free, providing interesting activities for the dogs and their people to experience. The thrill of seeing your dog lure course for the first time. . . watching your dog hunting for tennis balls. . . sitting in the ice cream pawlour while your dog enjoys a bowl of ice cream. . . getting your face painted. . . having your dog pose for a caricature drawing. . . food trucks and more.
What else, if anything, would you like to tell our readers about this year’s New Canaan Dog Days?
We are just so humbled and grateful to our customers for their support and to be able to do business in the Town of New Canaan. We hope to see you at the event so we can “Thank You” in person.