DOGust, Aug. 1, is the ‘Universal Birthday’ for shelter dogs

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Three dogs

(Left) Seven-year-old Ace (A506517) loves relaxing on the couch and getting lots of belly rubs. This sweet guy has a wagging tail that can make anyone smile! (Middle) Three-year-old Eli (A508192) enjoys hiking and exploring the outdoors. He’s looking for an adopter who’s a fellow adventurer. (Right) Three-year-old John (A508675) is sweet and affectionate – he loves giving kisses! If you’re looking for a big lap dog, you’re in luck, because John is a snuggler.

We adopted our dog Sueshi in March of 2016, just before she lost her baby teeth. So, we know she was just shy of 12 weeks. Although we don’t know her exact birthday, we celebrate in December.

For older adopted dogs — unless there is a previous owner to provide information — determining the age can be challenging. The date of birth…impossible!

That’s why I was thrilled to learn about DOGust, the Universal Birthday for Shelter Dogs. Since 2008, DOGust has been celebrated on August 1 to honor the furry adopted companions who bring so much love and joy to our lives.

So, what should you do for DOGust? If you have an adopted dog, spend the day doing what your pup loves best. That might be going for a quiet stroll around the block, an early morning hike on the trails, or maybe a romp with a doggy buddy.

Or, consider throwing your pup a birthday bash. Invite your dog’s favorite friends over — human and/or canine — for a celebration.

If you don’t have an adopted best friend, you can still commemorate the day. Remember, DOGust is a great way to spread awareness about the thousands of dogs at shelters and rescues across the Los Angeles area who are looking for homes right now.

Here are some ways you can help make DOGust special for the shelter animals at Pasadena Humane:

ADOPT: Adopting not only provides a home to a pet in need, but also opens a space at the shelter for another animal. Whether you’re looking for a dog who can join you on a hike or one who loves snuggling on the couch, we have lots of pups who would love to see if they’re your perfect match.

FOSTER: Temporarily opening your home (and heart) to a dog gives them a break from the shelter while also providing useful information about their personality in a home environment. Those extra details can help us find your foster dog a forever home that’s a great fit!

VOLUNTEER: From dog walking to pet photography and even our Reading Rovers program, we have numerous opportunities to get involved. Donating your time to help the dogs makes a huge difference, and we can’t do what we do without our volunteers.

DONATE: Your monetary donation goes a long way in providing animals with food, medical care, and other essentials. You can also donate items such as toys, treats and more from our wish list to help make our canines’ Dogust festivities even more special.

At Pasadena Humane, we are celebrating DOGust with our very own adoption promotion. “Big Dog Summer” is returning this year with free adoptions for all dogs 40-pounds and up from August 3-9.

Please meet a few of our bigger dogs who would love to love you:

Three-year-old Eli (A508192) enjoys hiking and exploring the outdoors. He’s looking for an adopter who’s a fellow adventurer. Whether you prefer the mountains or the beach, Eli is always ready to come along!

Three-year-old John (A508675) is sweet and affectionate — he loves giving kisses! If you’re looking for a big lap dog, you’re in luck, because John is a snuggler. John is ready to be your loveable sidekick in life.

Seven-year-old Ace (A506517) loves relaxing on the couch and getting lots of belly rubs. This sweet guy has a wagging tail that can make anyone smile! If you’re looking for a best friend who always wants to be by your side, Ace is your guy.

Learn more about dogs at Pasadena Humane and the adoption procedure at pasadenahumane.org/adopt

Dia DuVernet is president and CEO of Pasadena Humane. 

This blog post originally appeared as a column in the Pasadena Star-News on July 21, 2023.