Having a ruff week? Stop by Dog Day in the Garden on Sunday, May 1, from noon to 5 p.m. at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden.
The seventh annual event is a fundraiser for the garden and Fayetteville Animal Protection Society, the only non-profit, no-kill animal shelter in Cumberland County. This year the event is presented by Riverbark Veterinary Hospital. Organizers have an afternoon of fun planned for people — and pups — of all ages.

Dogs can participate in a pup pageant, obstacle course or get a free nail trim. Their human companions can opt for a family photo in front of a balloon backdrop and decorate a picture frame for their new snapshot. A caricature artist will be on-site to sketch families and furry friends.

Both pups and their owners can visit nearly a dozen vendors with crafts, foods, jewelry, fragrances and home décor. Live music will be provided by Whiskey Pines, an Americana band from Southern Pines.
Blood Connection is hosting a blood drive for those wanting to support multiple organizations in one day.

Food truck Alamo Snow will have snow cones, cotton candy and lemonade, and Jaz-N-Soul will have Caribbean and soul food for sale. Grapes & Hops will be a vendor at the event with dog biscuits and a special dog “beer” for pups to sample.

The event has grown in popularity over the years. In 2021, an estimated 900-1200 people stopped by throughout the day.

Dog Day in the Garden began when both organizations had common board members who wanted to combine efforts to raise money for the garden and the animal shelter.

“The partnership (with FAPS) has grown so much over the years, and it (has become) one of our favorite events,” said Meghan Woolbright, Cape Fear Botanical Garden Marketing Coordinator.

Families looking for a canine companion can meet with dogs from FAPS looking for their fur-ever homes. After a meet and greet with the pets up for adoption, the potential new owner will need to go through the regular application and vetting process after the event.

Jackie Stickley, executive director of FAPS, shared a story of Dodger, a husky and pit bull mix, surrendered to the shelter after his owners did not properly socialize him. He needed lots of support and love to adjust to his new surroundings. Stickley decided to take him to Dog Day in the Garden during his training.

“We expected that he wouldn’t last through the entire event, as he was overstimulated easily. We expected this outing to just be a part of his training,” said Stickley. “(But) it ended up being the outing where he met his forever family. Dodger now is living life with people that love him in a home that he can call his own.”

Garden members can attend for free. Tickets for non-members are $10. People over 65 and military receive a discounted rate of $9. Tickets for children 6 to 12 are $5, and kids under 5 get in free.

The first 250 guests will receive a “sWAG” bag filled with goodies from event sponsors.

For more information, visit www.capefearbg.org/event/dog-day-in-the-garden-3.