National Dog Day 2024 Complete Guide To Free Pet Treats Discounts And Special Offers

National Dog Day 2024 falls on August 26th, a day dedicated to celebrating our beloved canine companions. This annual holiday, founded in 2004 by dog trainer and pet adoption activist Colleen Paige, serves not only as an opportunity to spoil our pets but also to raise awareness about dogs in shelters and honor dogs that assist in law enforcement or provide aid to people in need. Across the country, numerous businesses, restaurants, and pet brands participate by offering special deals, discounts, and freebies designed to make this day memorable for dogs and their owners alike.

Background on National Dog Day

National Dog Day was created by Colleen Paige, a pet expert and animal welfare advocate, who chose August 26th as the date because it marks when her family adopted her dog Sheltie when she was just 10 years old. According to the National Calendar website, the purpose of National Dog Day is to "embrace the opportunity for all dogs to live a happy, safe, and abuse-free life." The National Dog Day Foundation aims to rescue 10,000 dogs each year, and Paige partners with major rescue organizations such as The Humane Society of the United States and West Coast Labrador Retriever Rescue to encourage pet adoption rather than purchasing from breeders.

This holiday has grown significantly since its inception, with businesses nationwide now offering special promotions and freebies. The celebration extends beyond commercial offerings, with many animal rescue organizations using the day to highlight adoption opportunities. For example, in the Hudson Valley area, several animal rescues including CARE of DC in Wappingers Falls, NY; Hudson Valley Animal Rescue in Poughkeepsie, NY; Pets Alive in Middletown, NY; Ulster County SPCA in Kingston, NY; and ARF in Beacon, NY, all participate in raising awareness about dogs in need of homes.

Free Food & Treat Offers for Dogs

One of the most anticipated aspects of National Dog Day is the abundance of free food and treats available for dogs at various establishments. These offerings typically come in the form of "pup cups," "pup cones," or other small, dog-friendly versions of human treats.

Coffee Shop and Fast Food Chains

Numerous coffee shops and fast food chains participate in National Dog Day by offering free treats for canine customers:

• Starbucks provides free pup cups, which are small cups of whipped cream, not just on National Dog Day but every day according to Source 1.
• 7Brew offers free pup cups to drive-thru guests at any time, as noted in Source 2.
• Dutch Bros Coffee provides free pup cups and, according to Source 5, also offers a free dog bandana with the purchase of a medium or large drink at 5am.
• Dunkin' joins in the celebration by offering free pup cups for dogs, as mentioned in Source 3.
• Caribou Coffee also participates with free pup cups for perks members, according to Source 3.
• Smoothie King offers a free pup cup specifically on August 26th, as stated in Source 5.
• Culver's provides free custard or whipped cream for dogs, as noted in Source 3 and Source 4.

Ice Cream and Frozen Treat Specialties

Ice cream shops and frozen treat establishments often create special dog-friendly versions of their products:

• Andy's Frozen Custard offers complimentary pup cones for dogs, allowing them to enjoy the frozen fun alongside their owners, as mentioned in Source 2.
• Bruster's provides free Doggie Sundaes topped with a biscuit at participating locations, as noted in both Source 2 and Source 4.
• Chill-N stands out by offering free pup cups throughout the entire month of August, not just on National Dog Day itself, according to Source 5.
• Island Fin Poké offers a unique promotion where guests who post a picture of their dog on social media using #AloPAW and tag @IslandFinPokeCo on August 26 receive a free Dole Soft Serve, as detailed in Source 5.

Restaurant and Food Chain Offers

Several restaurant chains also participate in National Dog Day with special offerings:

• Scooter's Coffee has multiple promotions: on Saturday, August 23, customers who bring their dogs through the drive-thru receive a free fall-themed plaid bandana featuring Scooter's pup mascot, Beans. Then on National Dog Day itself, they offer a special fall pup cup made with whipped cream, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and a dog treat, as described in Source 5.
• Rural King may offer a free Pig Ear for dogs at some locations, though participation may vary by store, according to Source 5.

Pet Product Freebies and Discounts

Beyond food treats, numerous pet brands and retailers offer special deals and free products to celebrate National Dog Day:

Subscription Services and Box Offers

Several pet subscription services provide special promotions:

• Bark Box offers free doggie Crocs when customers subscribe to monthly toys and treats. Additionally, new subscribers can receive free extra toys or a free dog bed with their first box, as mentioned in Source 4.
• Bullymake provides 40% off the first box, making the first month just $27 for customers with power-chewing dogs, according to Source 4.
• Ollie offers 60% off the first starter box plus a free Fi Smart Collar valued at $99, as detailed in Source 5.
• Kinship provides a free littleKin Puppy or Kitten Pack with up to $200 in freebies included, as noted in Source 5.

Pet Retailers and Supply Stores

Major pet retailers participate with special offers:

• PetSmart offers 2 free months of access to DOGTV for PetSmart Treats Rewards Members, which is a free program provided by PetSmart. DOGTV is designed as a distraction for dogs when owners are away, as mentioned in Source 1.
• Petco provides a free Pumpkin Spice pup cup on August 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. local time with no purchase required, according to Source 5.
• Chewy participates in National Dog Day with ongoing deals, though specific details aren't provided in the source material, as noted in Source 1.

Natural and Specialty Pet Products

Companies specializing in natural pet products also offer promotions:

• Various retailers offer up to 40% discounts on pet items when customers subscribe and save, with coupons typically located under product prices, as mentioned in Source 4.
• Natural dog chews and treats retailers provide 20% off when customers spend $100 or more, as noted in Source 4.

Service and Organization Offers

In addition to product freebies, several organizations and services provide special offers for National Dog Day:

Safety and Identification Services

• ASPCA offers a free Pet Safety Pack that includes a rescue alert sticker and wallet card to help keep pets safe year-round, as mentioned in Source 2.
• FidoAlert provides a free FidoAlert Pet ID and tag for National Dog Day, as detailed in Source 3 and Source 5.
• Purina offers a completely free, web-enabled smart tag from DynoTag. Customers need to fill out a short form to receive the tag, which arrives in about six weeks, as noted in Source 3.

Promotional Items and Collectibles

• Island Fin Poké not only offers free soft serve but also distributes limited-edition National Dog Day stickers. Customers can redeem these stickers with the purchase of any bowl on August 26. Collecting all eight of Island Fin's special edition stickers in 2025 grants entry into a grand prize drawing for a custom Island Fin-branded surfboard, as described in Source 5.
• Scooter's Coffee provides a fall-themed plaid bandana featuring their pup mascot Beans to customers who bring their dogs through the drive-thru on August 23, as noted in Source 5.

How to Access These Offers

Participating in National Dog Day freebies typically requires following specific procedures, which vary by business:

Location Requirements

Many offers are only available at participating locations, and participation may vary by store or franchise. It's advisable to call ahead to confirm that a particular location will be offering the desired promotion, as noted in multiple sources.

Pet Presence Requirements

Some businesses require that the dog be present to receive the freebie. For example, Source 2 specifically mentions that "some stores may require proof your pup is present" and advises customers to "always call ahead before you go!" Similarly, Source 5 states "NOT ALL LOCATIONS MAY PARTICIPATE OR MAY CHARGE. CALL AHEAD TO CHECK AND REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR PET, AS SOME PLACES MAY WANT TO VERIFY."

Membership and Purchase Requirements

While many offers are truly free, some require membership or a purchase:

• Dutch Bros Coffee requires a medium or large drink purchase to receive the free dog bandana, as noted in Source 5.
• Scooter's Coffee requires any purchase to receive the pup cup, though the bandana promotion on August 23 doesn't specify a purchase requirement, according to Source 5.
• PetSmart requires enrollment in their free PetSmart Treats Rewards program to receive the free DOGTV access, as mentioned in Source 1.

Social Media Requirements

Some offers require social media participation:

• Island Fin Poké requires customers to post a picture of their dog on social media using #AloPAW and tag @IslandFinPokeCo to receive the free Dole Soft Serve, as detailed in Source 5.

Form Submissions and Mail-in Offers

Some freebies require form submissions or are mail-in offers:

• ASPCA Pet Safety Packs require ordering through their website, as mentioned in Source 2.
• FidoAlert requires filling out a form to receive the free ID tag, as noted in Source 5.
• Purina requires filling out a form to receive the free smart tag, which is then mailed to the customer, as detailed in Source 3.

Conclusion

National Dog 2024 offers numerous opportunities for dog owners to celebrate their furry companions with free treats, products, and services. From pup cups and cones at coffee shops and ice cream parlors to free pet products, safety packs, and identification tags, the variety of available options ensures that nearly every dog owner can find something special for their pet. While participation varies by location and some offers require specific actions like bringing pets, making purchases, or submitting forms, the widespread participation from major brands and local businesses makes this holiday a highlight for dog enthusiasts.

The celebration extends beyond mere commercial promotions, aligning with the holiday's core purpose of promoting dog welfare and adoption. As Colleen Paige envisioned when establishing National Dog Day in 2004, the holiday serves as both a celebration of our canine companions and a reminder of the importance of dog rescue and welfare efforts. Whether through enjoying a free pup cup with your dog at a local coffee shop or adopting a rescue in need of a home, National Dog Day provides meaningful ways to honor the dogs that enrich our lives.

Sources

1. Hudson Valley Country - National Dog Day 2024
2. YoFreeSamples - National Dog Day Freebies & Deals
3. The Krazy Coupon Lady - National Dog Day Deals
4. Clark Deals - National Dog Day Offers
5. The Freebie Guy - National Dog Day