National Dog Day, one of the most anticipated events for members of the canine community and their fans, returns for its fifth edition. It will be held Sunday, Aug. 18, outside the Departamento de Recreación y Deportes in Santurce.
Taking the motto "no to abuse, no to abandonment" as its starting point, the organization Caninos PR has put together a program focused on offering guidance, help and information to dog owners and guardians in a family-friendly setting.
"This is a very family party, low cost, where we bring the canine community together to share, to raise awareness about the issue (of animal abuse) and to speak up," said event producer Chanty Vargas.
What does the National Dog Day program include?
Activities will begin at 10:00 a.m. and run until 6:00 p.m.
The program includes educational talks and low-cost vaccinations, among other activities. Veterinarians will offer one-on-one consultations at no charge, and rescuers and adoption centers will also be on hand with information.
Vargas explained that the consultations are aimed at helping people get to know their pets better and clear up questions on different topics.
"We want to help people improve their relationship with their pets, know when they should spay, neuter and vaccinate, leave better informed, and have their dogs enjoy themselves, share and socialize. That's important because sometimes dogs are cooped up at home and become aggressive or obese because they're not taken out for walks. So we want them to get out and for owners to get used to hanging out with their pet," said the producer.
The event includes games, an obstacle course and a variety of food trucks
As part of the entertainment, there will be games for dogs and activities for children. Offerings also include a pool, an obstacle course, dog walks, an off-leash area, an oasis, a bazaar, competitions, treats, food, popsicles and other surprises.
There will also be food trucks with food and drinks. You can bring a beach chair or a blanket to sit on and spend a day together.
Raising awareness about pet care
Through all the activities, talks and fun, the event aims to raise awareness about the importance of protecting animals and preventing abuse.
On this, the producer said that "we wanted to raise awareness around 'no to abuse, no to abandonment,' which is a serious problem affecting thousands of animals in Puerto Rico. We want to use this occasion to emphasize the need to protect them and ensure their well-being, and to share a family day dedicated to those unconditional friends that are our dogs."
There will be parking and transportation
Parking will be at the Tren Urbano station at Sagrado Corazón. From there, you can reach the Departamento de Recreación y Deportes in about five minutes on foot. If you prefer a ride, buses will be available to take you to the event, along with your dog and the whole family.
Tickets for National Dog Day cost $9 and can be purchased here. One ticket per person. Children under 12 and pets get in free.
Get your dog ready to hang out. Enjoy!
This content was translated with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
