BURLINGTON, ON --(Marketwired - July 07, 2017) - PetSmart launched the first-ever Doggie-Human Ice Cream Truck in New York City last year in celebration of National Ice Cream Day and this year is bringing this unique treat truck to dogs and their pet parents. From July 12-15, the PetSmart-sponsored truck will visit parks across 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 and PetSmart at The Beach.
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.
"We know how successful and engaging the Doggie Ice Cream Truck was in New York City last year, and without a doubt wanted to expand this program to Canada," said John DeFranco, president, PetSmart Canada. "We can't wait to celebrate with pet parents in Toronto for the first time on July 12. These events are a great way to gear up for the free Doggie Ice Cream Sundaes available at all PetsHotel locations and PetSmart at The Beach on July 16, 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.
"The dog ice cream sundaes offered every day at our PetsHotel locations are a great example of the wonderful hospitality we provide to our pet guests," said Joanna Zucker, vice president of services for PetSmart. "In addition to the 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. While there, pet parents can tour our facility and see first-hand the exceptional pet services offered daily at PetSmart's PetsHotels."
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
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 and at PetSmart at The Beach in Toronto. Go to petsmart.ca/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.
About PetsHotel Services
Whether pets need to stay for an extended period in the overnight accommodations or just need a fun-filled day of supervised play at the Doggie Day Camp, PetSmart PetsHotels offer a variety of services, great hospitality and amenities to create a get-a-way as unique as your pet:
- Expert Care: Safety-certified, pet-loving staff with 24/7 onsite care and on-call veterinarian.
- The Private Suite: What better way to show your best friend how special he or she is than to upgrade to a Private Suite? It's spacious, private and furnished with a comfy bed called a Poochy Cot and a TV tuned to pet-centric movies.
- PetSmart Doggie Day Camp: Pets exercise and socialize with other dogs in a dedicated indoor play area full of toys, while pet parents are at work or out of the house for the day. Flexible drop-off and pick-up times and Doggie Valet make it convenient for parents' schedules. Doggie Day Camp goers can participate in monthly parties with free ice cream sundaes and fun themes.
- Individual Playtime: Your pup can receive personal attention and one-on-one fun with a Pet Care Specialist.
- Unlimited Relief Walks.
- Treat Time with Doggie Ice Cream Sundaes: Includes dog-safe vanilla soft serve ice cream with crunchy biscuit toppings for pets to cool down on hot summer days.
- Easy Add-Ons: Let pet parents customize their stay with playtime, snacks and salon services.
- Easy Booking Options: Book your pet's stay by phone or online at www.petsmart.ca
About PetSmart®
In Canada, PetSmart is the largest specialty pet retailer of services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets. At PetSmart, we love pets, and we believe pets make us better people. Every day with every connection, PetSmart's passionate associates help bring pet parents closer to their pets so they, together, can live more fulfilled lives. This vision impacts everything we do for our customers, the way we support our associates and how we give back to our communities. We employ more than 3,600 associates and operate over 125 pet stores across Canada, with seven in-store PetSmart® PetsHotel™ dog and cat boarding facilities. PetSmart provides a broad range of competitively priced pet food and products, as well as pet-focused services such as dog training, pet grooming, pet boarding, PetSmart® Doggie Day Camp® and pet adoption. PetSmart, together with non-profit PetSmart Charities™ of Canada, invite more than 200 animal welfare organizations to bring adoptable pets into stores so they have the best chance possible of finding a forever home. Through this in-store adoption program and other signature events, PetSmart has facilitated more than 225,000 pets since 1999. The company's portfolio of digital resources for pet parents includes PetSmart.ca, Pet360.com, petMD.com and the askPETMD app. Through these digital platforms, PetSmart offers the most comprehensive online pet supplies and pet care information in Canada. In March 2017, PetSmart launched its Buy a Bag, Give a Meal™ program -- for every bag of cat or dog food purchased March 1 - Dec. 31, 2017, PetSmart will donate a meal to pets in need and expects to donate more than 3.6 million meals in Canada in 2017.*
Follow PetSmart on Twitter: @PetSmart and on Instagram: @PetSmart
Find PetSmart on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PetSmartCanada
See PetSmart on YouTube: www.YouTube.com/PetSmart
*Ends 12/31/17. 5 oz. dog food, 1.5 oz. cat food donated to PetSmart Charities to feed dogs and cats in need. See details at petsmart.com/giveameal. The actual number of meals donated is based on dog and cat food bags sold. The meal donation estimate is based on historic sales for similar time periods. No guaranteed amount. Rescue Bank and Feeding America will help distribute a large portion of the pet food donation in the U.S.
Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2017/7/7/11G142355/Images/PetSmart_National_Ice_Cream_Day-980e51db2846b993bb85937e68e6760c.JPG
Contact Information:
For more information, interview requests or images:
Miriam Fitting
Golin for PetSmart Canada
647-267-5327
mfitting@golin.com
