Don’t let the end of summer get you down, the transition to fall in this area brings charitable pet festival season along with it!

Dogs, cats, seasonal beers, free goodies, food trucks, lower humidity, and chances to make a difference for local animals await you as summer winds down and autumn creeps into DC.  

Instead of letting a Sarah McLachlan’s song guilt you into emptying your wallet, have some fun while raising funds for local animal rescues, because it costs money to keep the floofs borking, doggos derping, and all of our other 4-legged friends happy and healthy.  

#FrayLife has the skinny on how to make the most of all of the pet-friendly events ringing in fall fun for a cause.

1. Wags n’ Whiskers

August 25, 2018

Shirlington Village

Several local animal rescue organizations and over 65 onsite exhibitors will be present at the 11th Annual Wags n’ Whiskers event in Shirlington. There will be adoption opportunities, pet photos, live music, shopping, and entertainment at this free outdoor festival.

#FrayLife Tip: Check out the ever-popular Shirlington Dog Park right across the street. If it’s hot out take your pup for a dip in the creek.

2. DC Walk for the Animals

September 22, 2018

Yards Park

Walkers raise much-needed funds for the Humane Rescue Alliance to provide care for thousands of animals each year at scenic Yards Park. The registration fee includes a free t-shirt and goodie bag.

After the walk, grab a beer and watch the 7th Annual Wiener 500 Dachshund Dash, which is exactly what it sounds like… hoards of short-legged weiner dogs sort of racing. Got a dachshund? Register your dog for the Weiner 500 here and the fee will go towards the fundraiser for the Humane Rescue Alliance. There will be live music, local food and beer vendors, Oktoberfest games, and pet-friendly activities.

Register here.

3. Bipawtisan March

September 23, 2018

U.S. Capitol

We the Dogs DC has organized its second annual Bipawtisan March benefiting local animal rescue organizations. This march brings the DMV community together to celebrate common ground on a position we all support: our pets! 100% of each tax-deductible registration fee will be donated to local animal rescue organizations of your choice.  

A ‘Yappy Hour’ will follow the march where attendees can enjoy food, booze, pose at the photo booth with their pooch, and win raffle prizes.

Can’t make it out for the march but still want to donate? You can do that too! Register here.

4. Strut Your Mutt

October 6, 2018

Wheaton Regional Park

Join Best Friends Animal Society in saving homeless pets nationwide by taking a walk!  Hundreds participate in this annual event and enjoy vendors, food trucks, local beer, pet-friendly activities, and giveaways. You can also dress your pup in its Halloween best for a costume contest.

Register here

As you can tell, we love our animals here at DC Fray, so do us a favor and tag #FrayLife #DCFray in your next post with you cat or pup.

Want more local animal awesomeness? Here are our favorite DC-based animal Instagram accounts that you should be following.

View More Articles By Anna Jacoby