ENCINITAS — The sun shone as puppers, doggos and their owners gathered at Encinitas Community Park on Sunday for the annual Cardiff Dog Days of Summer event.
According to organizers, several thousand people supported the occasion, now in its 19th year. Cardiff 101 Main Street and the City of Encinitas collaborated on the event, which was sponsored by Kahoots, Ting Internet, Rancho Coastal Humane Society, NutriSource, Carlsbad Pet Feed, and others.
The free event featured over a hundred dog-related vendors, demonstrations by the San Diego Fire Department and even a dog ice cream eating contest. The San Diego Humane Society also offered complimentary microchipping for pets.
Those looking to add a new furry friend to their family could head to “Rescue Row,” where local adoption groups help match dogs with new owners. All proceeds from “Rescue Row” go to the Rancho Coastal Humane Society, which helps care for and rehome unwanted pets.
There was plenty for the humans in attendance, too, including the Libation Lounge, which featured local brewers like The Lost Abbey, various food trucks and live music.
Alison Wielechowski, executive director of Cardiff 101 Main Street, headed up the event.
“We are a community that welcomes people and their dogs,” Wielechowski said. “This is one of the largest dog festivals in San Diego County and I think that shows the support of this community and how we want to host that and be a representative of humans and their pets.”
