DOG DAYS OF SUMMER
Banner photo by Zak Khaliqi
DOG DAYS “PUP-UPS”
During the month of August, FONA is honoring the canine companions that enjoy the Arboretum. We will host three community “pup-ups” that are free and open for all to enjoy! Enter the Arboretum via the R Street entrance (2400 R Street NE) for all evening hours activities. See the adjacent map for more details.
Thursday, August 14th: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM in the Grove
Make paw-sitively perfect connections with our friends from the Brandywine Valley SPCA. Meet some adoptable dogs, drop off food or supply donations for the shelter, learn how to support the Brandywine Valley SPCA with Shelter Skip Days, or grab a doggy snack for your own canine companion.
Thursday, August 21st: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM in the Grove
Meet Washington Capitals goalie Logan Thompson and your new best friend! Join the Humane Rescue Alliance and Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson for a special community event to meet adoptable dogs. Logan will meet with the community and share how he and his fiancé Linnea are helping rescue animals in D.C. HRA’s Humane Protection team will also share tips on how D.C. residents can help protect animals in our community. Pup-up sponsor Fetch! Pet Care will also provide free pup-cups for all attendees. Come by and meet Logan, cuddle an adoptable animal, talk with fellow animal lovers, and learn more about the lifesaving work happening right here in D.C.
Wednesday, August 27th: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM behind Arbor House
Join our Dog Days Celebration! We’ll announce the winner of the Dog of the Year photo contest and celebrate our Arboretum dog community. Pup-up sponsor Fetch! Pet Care will also provide free pup-cups for all attendees.
Photo courtesy of John Healey
DOG OF THE YEAR PHOTO CONTEST
Vote for top dog of the Arboretum once per day (or three times per round) between August 13th and August 27th. The winner will be announced at our Dog Days of Summer Celebration on Wednesday, August 27th!
- Round 1: August 13, 6 PM – August 15, 11:59 PM
- Round 2: August 16, 12 AM – August 18, 11:59 PM
- Quarterfinals: August 19, 12 AM – August 21, 11:59 PM
- Semifinals: August 22, 12 AM – August 24, 11:59 PM
- Finals: August 25, 12 AM – August 27, 5:00 PM
Contest Prizes
- The first place winner will:
- Receive a custom photography session and $700 wall art product credit from Megan Purtell Photography. The total value of this prize is $1,000.
- Be featured in FONA materials and publications.
- The second-place winner will receive a gift certificate for three nights of boarding from Take Paws.
- The third-place winner will receive a one-month BarkBox gift certificate.
- All contest participants will receive FONA swag for their pup. This must be picked up during the Dog Days Celebration Event on August 27th, or at a subsequent FONA Member Meet-up.
JOIN THE PACK
During Dog Days of Summer, we invite you to join the pack by becoming a Sustaining Member. Sustaining Members help FONA bring accessible programming to the National Arboretum all year long. Your monthly donation — at any level — supports everything FONA does, from hosting public events and youth education programs to supporting capital projects and visitor services at the National Arboretum.
When you give monthly, you:
- Join a loyal community of National Arboretum supporters
- Provide steady, reliable support we can count on
- Get insider updates and all the members-only perks
Join the pack and help us grow this special place and community at the National Arboretum!
Photo by A2Z Photography
Photo by Barbara O Photography
SPONSORS
Thank you to all of our Dog Days of Summer sponsors! Want to become a sponsor and support FONA’s Dog Days of Summer? Contact Leandra Nichola at 202-544-8733 x303 or lnichola@fona.org.
Top Dog Sponsor
Megan Purtell Photography is an award-winning pet photographer who captures the unique personality of every pet with stunning portraits. She also volunteers to photograph foster pets for rescues, helping them find forever homes with beautiful, eye-catching photos. A passionate animal advocate, Megan’s work not only creates lasting memories but also supports animal welfare through her artistry and dedication.
Pack Leader Sponsor
Capital Dog Training Club of Washington, D.C. is an all volunteer organization providing training and activities for dogs and their handlers.
Fetch! Pet Care offers in-home pet care for every kind of breed of pet. Their pet care services are tailored to meet the individual needs of each animal and are designed to ensure pets are as happy and healthy as possible.
Tail Wagger Sponsor
Take Paws is a DC-area family-run dog care business, offering care for your furry family members while you’re away.
Your Dog’s Friend is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization located in Rockville, MD and online that is working to improve dogs’ lives, reduce problem behaviors, and keep dogs out of shelters by educating and supporting their humans. Your Dog’s Friend advocates for a positive, force-free and fear-free approach to training and behavior change. They offer free monthly interactive webinars, an advice-rich website, one-on-one consultation and referrals by phone and email, low- and no-cost training classes, and support for animal welfare organizations.
ARBORETUM DOG RULES
Dogs and other pets are welcome to join you on your visit to the National Arboretum. Please be a good member of the pack and follow the Arboretum’s rules and guidelines regarding pets during your visit:
- Pets must be leashed at all times.
- Pets must be controlled so they do not enter, urinate on, or defecate in garden beds. Owners must clean up after pets.
- Pets are not allowed in the Visitor Center building or in the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum.
- Visitors are not allowed to play with balls, frisbees, or other sports activities at the Arboretum.
Following these rules not only protects the plants growing in the National Arboretum’s collections, but they also ensure the safety of other visitors.
Photo by Zak Khaliqi