At Tiff’s Treats, our team is filled with dog lovers and enthusiasts. This year, we’re excited to celebrate National Dog Day—a day dedicated to celebrating dogs of all kinds and advocating for dog adoption.
With many of our team members strong advocates for animal rescue, we’re proud to celebrate Clear the Shelters, a nationwide pet adoption and donation campaign. This year, we’ve partnered with Austin Pets Alive! and SPCA of Texas to donate $5,000—and treat a few very lucky delivery recipients in Austin and Dallas to doggy delivery.
The History of National Dog Day
In 2004, pet lover Colleen Paige founded National Dog Day. Her goal was simple: Bring greater awareness to the plight of shelter dogs everywhere. Choosing the date of August 26th held personal significance for Colleen’s family—it was the date they adopted their very first dog, “Sheltie,” from a local animal rescue.
Over the past ten years, National Dog Day has grown into an exciting—and impactful—nationwide movement, encouraging us all to embrace our love for dogs and advocate for adopting shelter pets.
Ways to Celebrate National Dog Day
If you currently have a dog in your life, make this year’s National Dog Day a memorable one for your four-legged friend!
Bake Homemade Dog Treats
How could we possibly talk about our beloved dogs without mentioning homemade cookies for them? Show your pup some extra love with a batch of treats. Ingredients such as peanut butter, oats, and pumpkin are healthy and delicious for your dog.
We may be best at baking cookies for people—but we love baking treats for our pups, too! We love this recipe for homemade dog treats with peanut butter and pumpkin!
Plan Outdoor Adventures
Mix things up for your pup and take them on a new adventure. Depending on where you live, explore a scenic hiking trail, take a stroll on the beach, or visit a dog park for companionship. If you have a dog that loves the water, consider heading to a dog-friendly lake or river.
Book a Doggy Spa Day or Photoshoot
Take your dog to your local groomer for extra pampering. If you want to take it a step further, consider a professional (or amateur!) photoshoot. Many photographers specialize in pet portraits, and scheduling a photoshoot can be a fun way to create lasting memories with your dog.
Update Your Dog’s ID Tags and Microchip Information
It’s not as exciting as a day at the dog park—but now is the perfect time to double-check that your dog’s ID tags and microchip information are up-to-date and legible. If your dog is microchipped, you can log into the microchip registry to confirm your details are current.
Donate to a Local Shelter
Honor your dog by giving back to other animals in need. Consider donating to a dog rescue organization in your community. Many rescues accept financial contributions and donated supplies, such as food or blankets.
Supporting Shelter Dogs
National Dog Day is about more than just celebrating the wonderful dogs in our lives—it’s about helping other dogs who haven’t found their forever homes yet.
This is why Clear the Shelters, an annual event that helps find homes for thousands of shelter animals, is so transformative. Since 2015, the campaign has raised millions of dollars for animal rescues—and helped support more than one million all-time adoptions.
In honor of Clear the Shelters, we’ve partnered with Austin Pets Alive! and SPCA of Texas to donate $5,000 and “spawtlight” available dogs for adoption.
How You Can Help
Looking for other ways to support shelter dogs?
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Volunteer at your local animal shelter: Volunteering is one of the most rewarding—and enjoyable!—ways to contribute. All dog rescues rely on passionate and dedicated volunteers to help with various tasks. From walking dogs to cleaning kennels to assisting with adoption events, your time will make an incredible difference in a dog’s life.
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Foster a dog in your home before they find their forever home: Fostering is a critical step in helping dogs transition from shelter life to their forever homes. Some of the most common dogs to foster include introverted, anxious, or older dogs who need the comfort of a home environment. Do some research on your local shelters and see what foster needs they may have.
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Adopt, don’t shop! Looking to expand your furry family? Always choose adoption over purchasing a dog from a breeder or pet store. When you adopt a dog, you’re giving your dog a second chance at life and helping reduce the demand for puppy mills or unethical breeding practices. Shelters are home to wonderful dogs of all ages and breeds; contact your local rescue to learn more about their pets!
The Impact of Dog Adoption
Around 3.1 million dogs enter U.S. animal shelters each year. With such an influx of pets, the need for loving homes is enormous. Thanks to campaigns like Clear the Shelters, more and more pets are adopted and placed in loving homes.
Celebrate National Dog Day with Us
Celebrate National Dog Day by giving your pups extra love, enjoying a treat or two, and learning more about the importance of adopting. Share this information and spread the word about the Clear the Shelters mission—and don’t forget to celebrate with us by choosing doggy delivery today!