Fall is here! October is full of pet-friendly events that will be fun, educational, and still taken advantage of the great cool weather. The days are getting shorter but it doesn’t mean the fun stops for you and your pets!
Check out some of the events listed below and if you’re not near these, check with your local humane society and newspaper for local pet events.
ยป With so many pet events across the country, this list can’t be quite comprehensive – at least not without your help. Is your pet event, or one in your area, missing from our list? Please help us update this list to keep it current by leaving the information in a comment below!
Pet Events in the USA – October 2012
Camp Dogwood
When:October 5 – 8, 2012
Where: Camp Horner 26710 W Nippersink Road Chicago, Il
Admission: Varies
More information: <a href="http://www.campdogwood.com/home.html"Camp Dogwood
Hotels in Chiacgo
Camp Dogwood is a unique camp experience that offers people a way to bond with their dog with other dog lovers. It’s a getaway where you can hike, boat, swim, and teach your dog new tricks like lure coursing, and flyball. Camp Dogwood has been featured on Animal Planet, The Today Show, and The Travel Channel.
Cowtown Goes To The Dogs
When: October 6-7, 2012 7am to 6pm
Where: Trinity Park W 7th st Forth Worth, Tx
Admission: $25 or $30 day of the event
More information: [email protected]
Hotels in Forth Worth
Trinity Park will be hosting a 1K walk for dogs and owners and a 5K run without dogs. The proceeds will benefit the Chuck Silcox Animal Shelter. Walks include the “Wanna be a Wiener Dogs” which is a walk for dogs who are under 30lbs. There are also going to be Wiener dog races. Vendors, good food, and a special kids area will be set up for everyone to enjoy after the walks and races.
Portland Pet Expo
When: October 6, 2012 10am to 6pm
Where: Portland Expo Hall 2060 North Marine Drive, Portland Or
Admission: Free
More information: Portland Pet Expo
Hotels in Portland
Bring your pet to the Portland Pet Expo! Meet Shorty Rossi from “Pit Boss” and see some of the latest and greatest pet products on the market from 100s of vendors. Rescue groups will be present along with education booths. Demonstrations in agility, obedience, and working dogs will be going on throughout the day. It’s going to be fun for the whole family. Low-cost vaccines and micro-chipping will be available too.
WalktoberFest
When: October 6, 2012 9am to 4pm
Where: Anheuser-Busch Brewery 221 Daniel Webster Highway Merrimack, NH
Admission: $5 and children under 11yr old are free
More information: WalktoberFest
Hotels in Merrimack
Bring your dog and the family on Saturday October 6 to spend a day of fun with other dog lovers. Start off with a lovely morning walk, watch dog demos, and enter the raffles. There will be food, beer, and vendors. Money raised will benefit the Humane Society of Greater Nashua and the shelter pets waiting for forever homes.
Dog Jog/Barktoberfest
When: October 7, 2012 8:30am to 4pm
Where: Otto Armleder Dog Park 5059 Wooster Pike Cincinnati, Oh
Admission: $25 pre-registration $30 day of event $5 for observers
More information: Dog Jog Website
Hotels in Cincinnati
Join fellow dog lovers for a 2 mile run or a 1 mile walk. The activities start at 8:30am with registration and a blessing of the dogs. The race starts at 10am and the walk starts at 10:30am. The rest of the day will have contests such as stupid pet trick, best kisser, best treat catcher, and bobbing for hotdogs. There will also be a pet costume contest and halloween parade. Dress up you and your pet for the parade!
Yappy Hour
When: October 11, 2012 4pm to sunset
Where: James Island County Dog Park 871 Riverland Drive Charleston, Sc
Admission: Free with park admission ($1)
More information: Charleston County Park
Hotels in Charleston
Live music, fun, and drinks! Head down to the James Island County Dog Park to relax after a long day at work and meet other pet lovers.
Bark In The Park
When: October 13, 2012 10am to 2pm
Where: Waverly Park 1300 Avenida de las Flores Thousand Oaks, Ca
Admission: Free
More information: Bark In The Park
Hotels in Thousand Oaks
Spend the day at Waverly Park and shop the many vendor booths that will be set up, listen to the speakers who will be on hand offering tips, advice, and education on how to be a better pet parent. The event benefits the Ventura County Sheriffs K-9 Unit. Dress up your pet to compete in the Halloween Costume Contest, treat your pup to a pet massage, and watch the agility demos. Silent auction and raffles are also going to be going on throughout the day.
American Cancer Society’s Bark for Life in Spokane
When: October 13, 2012 11am to 2:45pm
Where: Whispering Pines Park 5840 South Meadowlane Road Spokane, Wa
Admission: Free for walk, 5K run is $25
More information: Bark for Life
Hotels in Spokane
Contests, entertainment, and walk or run is set for October 13 to raise awareness in the fight against cancer. Help raise awareness and celebrate the love, dedication, and compassion dogs give us everyday.
Dachtoberfest
When: October 14, 2012 11am to 3pm
Where: Greenlin Kennel Pet Resort 600 Schoolhouse Road Middletown, Pa
Admission: Donations gladly accepted
More information: Coast to Coast Dachshund Rescue
Hotels near Middletown
All dachshunds, what are you doing on October 14? Nothing? Well, then mark your calendars and head to Greenlin Kennel Pet Resort for fun, play, and contests. There will be demos and vendors for your owners to watch. You can meet new friends and all donations help the Coast to Coast Dachshund Rescue.
9th Annual Dog Walk-A-Thon
When: October 14, 2012 11am to 3pm
Where: Community Park Rte 130 South North Brunswick, NJ
Admission: $20 or $25 the day of the event
More information: NBHA Website
Hotels in North Brunswick
Rain or shine it’s the 9th annual dog walk benefitting the North Brunswick Humane Society. There is going to be a dog costume contest, Owner/dog look-alike, and games, demos, and vendors. A full day of fun is guaranteed.
5th Annual Dogtoberfest
When: October 20, 2012 10am to 4pm
Where: The Domain Mopac Loop 1 between Braker and Duval Austin, Tx
Admission: Free
More information: Dogtoberfest
Hotels in Austin
Dogtoberfest is an Austin based nonprofit organization that is hosting a silent auction, canine contests, and demonstrations on October 20, 2012. There will be local dog rescues, vendors, and other pet lovers on hand. If you are thinking of adopting, you may find your new best friend here!
3rd Annual Howl-O-Wine
When: October 20, 2012 12pm to 5pm
Where: Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard 18125 Comus Road Dickerson, Md
Admission: $10 with wine tasting
More information: Howl-O-Wine website
Hotels near Dickerson
A family-fun event that includes wine samplers, food, vendors, raffles, and dog contests. All proceeds benefit the Wags for Hope organization, a pet therapy group that helps the local communities.
Howling Halloween In The Park
When: October 21, 2012 12pm to 5pm
Where: Fountain Valley Recreation Center and Sports Park 16400 Brookhurst St Fountain Valley, Ca
Admission: Free
More information: Desperate Paws of Orange County Dog Club
Hotels in Fountain Valley
Kid friendly and dog friendly event celebrating Halloween. Come in costume and enter your pet in the contests for best dog costume, best kid costume, best family costume, and more! Your child can safely trick or treat during the event and your dog can make a ton new friends. Food, drinks, and pet adoptions will be available as well.
Bark In The Park
When: October 27, 2012 11am to 3pm
Where: 506 S Pleasantburg Drive Greenville, Sc
Admission: Free
More information: Concerned Citizens for Animals
Hotels in Greenville
Proceeds from this event help adoptions, the feral cat colony program, and educational outreach. Come out and join in the fun. There will be entertainment, vendors, and activities for the whole family.
Images from Dogtoberfest, Portland Pet Expo, Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission, American Cancer Society Bark For Life