Love Your Pet Day Block Party To Happen In April

Did you know an estimated one out of four residents in Alexandria is a four-legged friend? Alexandria is one of the most pet-friendly communities in the nation, and it will throw a big party to celebrate that.

Mayor Allison Silberberg has declared Sunday, April 29 as the second annual Alexandria Love Your Pet Day. That day, more than 40 local groups will hold a block party for residents and pets with food trucks, children’s entertainment, interactive demonstrations and more.

The block party will be held at Roth and Colvin Streets in the West End from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The kickoff will happen at the Wholistic Hound Academy parking lot (18 Roth Street) with celebrity vet Dr. Katy Nelson. State Del. Charniele Herring and state Sen. Adam Ebbin will also attend.

With 44,000 homes with pets, 18 off-leash dog parks and thousands of pet friendly-hotels and extended stay properties, Alexandria is ranked one of the most dog friendly towns on the East Coast, according to DogFriendly.com 44,000 homes in Alexandria. The block party builds on this reputation by promoting responsible pet ownership with pet trainers, pet product and service vendors, animal rescue groups and more.

Pet owners can take the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test, which is a prerequisite for volunteering with many therapy groups At each stop on the route, attendees learn about good pet ownership practices and earn a stamp on their event map. The first 100 to turn in completed maps get a gift bag full of goodies from participating businesses.

Kids can get involved too with a fun activity from the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. They will pick up a stuffed animal and and take it to different stops for grooming, socialization vaccinations and other pet needs.

The event is being organized by a number of local groups, including the Alexandria Library, Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, Dogtopia, Frolick Dogs, Pinnacle Pet Spa & More, Shelley Castle Photography, VCA Alexandria Animal Hospital and Wholistic Hound Academy. Attendees can park in the Bishop Ireton lower lot directly across Duke Street.

For more information, visit the Alexandria Love Your Pet Day Facebook event page.

Image via Patch editor Margo Sullivan