PetSmart to Celebrate National Ice Cream Day with Free Pop-Up Ice Cream Socials for Dogs and Their Humans

Listen to this article

PetSmart launched the first-ever Doggie-Human Ice Cream Truck in New York City last year in celebration of National Ice Cream Day. This year, the company is going coast-to-coast to bring more of these unique treat trucks to dogs and their pet parents. On July 12, one PetSmart-sponsored truck per city will visit parks in New York City, Seattle, Dallas and Toronto, hosting free pop-up ice cream socials for dogs and their humans in celebration of National Ice Cream Day on Sunday, July 16, when additional free Doggie Ice Cream Sundaes will also be doled out to pets who visit any PetSmart PetsHotel locations.

Last year, PetSmart laid claim to the first-ever ice cream truck to serve up dog-friendly ice cream along with ice cream treats for humans. This ice cream truck rolled about the streets of New York City to celebrate National Ice Cream Day 2016, visiting dog parks and serving more than 1,000 ice cream treats in a single day.

“When we saw how fun and engaging the Doggie Ice Cream Truck was last year in New York City, we knew we wanted to expand this program coast-to-coast,” said Eran Cohen, chief customer experience officer for PetSmart. “We are excited to celebrate with pet parents again in New York City, and for the first time with those in Dallas, Seattle and Toronto on July 12. These events are a powerful way to gear up for the free Doggie Ice Cream Sundaes available at all PetsHotel locations across North America on National Ice Cream Day.”

In 1984, President Reagan declared National Ice Cream Day as the third Sunday of July and the full month of July as National Ice Cream Month. National Ice Cream Day has been celebrated for decades, but more recently with pets. The dog-safe ice cream is vanilla flavored and non-dairy, as many dogs have challenges with lactose products. The sundaes are topped with dog biscuit sprinkles for a savory-sweet combination and a cool treat to beat the summertime heat in July.

“In addition to the four pop-up ice cream socials, we will also be offering free Doggie Ice Cream Sundaes to dogs that visit any PetsHotel location on National Ice Cream Day, Sunday, July 16,” said Joanna Zucker, vice president of services for PetSmart. “While there, pet parents can tour our facility and see first-hand the exceptional pet services offered daily at PetSmart’s PetsHotels.”

Several local celebrity pets will be attending the various ice cream socials for meet-and-greets and photo ops. The following opportunities to celebrate and get a free ice cream treat for pups and their humans include:

Wednesday, July 12

New York City

Noon – 4 p.m. local time – Washington Square Park

@tinkerbellethedog (143K followers)

@ipartywithbrucewayne (57.9K followers)

@thedailywalter (83.3K followers) – Streaming Facebook Live with PetSmart at 1:00 p.m. ET

4:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. local time – Madison Square Park

@oscarfrenchienyc (166K followers)

@ipartywithbrucewayne (57.9K followers)

@puppynamedcharlie (56.4K followers)

@chloekardoggian (149K followers)

@mervinthechihuahua (69.1K followers)

Dallas

Noon – 8 p.m. local time – Klyde Warren Park

@nelsonthegoldendoodle (32.6K followers)

Seattle

Noon – 8 p.m. local time – Seattle Center – International Fountain

@buddhathepug (9K followers)

Toronto

Noon – 4 p.m. local time – Berczy Park

4:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. – Woodbine Park

@remsandshmends (51.1K followers)

@lildogbigcity (22.8k followers)

Sunday, July 16

Doggie Ice Cream Sundaes only (no human ice cream treats served) offered at all PetSmart PetsHotel locations across North America. Go to petsmart.com/store-locator/ to find a PetsHotel location.

All times above are local times; all ice cream treats, while supplies last.

PetSmart is encouraging pet parents to share photos and videos on Facebook and Instagram of their pets enjoying National Ice Cream day using #nationalicecreamday and tagging PetSmart.