Dallas Animal Services (DAS) will host a Dogust celebration during First Fridays on Friday, August 7, from 5 to 8 p.m. The event takes place at the Dallas Animal Services facility and is free and family-friendly. Dogust is recognized nationally as a universal birthday for shelter dogs, providing an opportunity to highlight animals waiting for permanent homes.
The celebration includes a birthday dog parade, a "Make a Sundae" enrichment activity for the dogs, and a Mister Softee ice cream truck. Attendees can participate in face painting, visit a birthday photo booth, and receive birthday baskets if they choose to adopt or foster a pet.
A grand prize giveaway is also scheduled, with adopters and fosters entered to win two round-trip Southwest Airlines tickets, provided by Friends of Dallas Animal Services.
"Dogust is all about celebrating our shelter dogs and bringing the community together," said Nashla Kalifa, Manager of Foster & Volunteer Programs at Dallas Animal Services. "We hope families will come enjoy the festivities, meet some amazing dogs, and maybe even give one of them the greatest birthday gift of all—a loving home."
The event is supported by a grant from the Louis B. and Mary Ratliff Animal Welfare Fund at The Dallas Foundation to Friends of Dallas Animal Services. This funding helps maintain free opportunities for residents to connect with shelter pets.
DAS notes that when a dog leaves the shelter through adoption or foster care, it creates space for another animal to arrive, allowing the shelter to continue caring for pets in need. Residents interested in learning more about Dogust, available pets, or upcoming events can visit BeDallas90.org or follow Dallas Animal Services on social media.
