Huntsville Botanical Garden cat and dog events
BY KADIE TAYLOR | LIVING 50 PLUS
Huntsville Botanical Gardens hosts pet-friendly days for visitors who want to explore the garden with their leashed furry friends.
“Our mission is to connect people to plants,” said Huntsville Botanical Garden Visitor Program Coordinator Sharon Singletary. “It kind of naturally flows — your dog is observing things differently, and it just helps you to be maybe more aware of your surroundings, like maybe how a dog would, and you notice things you otherwise wouldn’t notice. I think people connect to their pets, and pets are just intrinsically drawn to nature and sniffing and things.”
For dog owners, Dog Days at the Garden are every Thursday during regular hours. Visitors can bring their leashed pups to explore the Garden.
“On Thursdays, there is a couple that brings their poodles and actually brings snacks, like little dog treats to leave at the front desk that our front desk staff will pass out to dogs,” Singletary said. “My dogs have enjoyed those treats. I definitely would say that there are people who are excited enough and happy enough about this option that they do like to participate in it on their own and build that community.”
The Huntsville Botanical Garden has a day for cat owners as well. On Meowy Mondays, owners can bring their cat companions in a pet backpack, leash or other approved carrier.
“Animal needs to be leashed or otherwise contained,” Singletary said. “Cats have some creative options, like certain backpacks and strollers, but we are not an unleashed area. Your pets must be leashed. We do put out water stations. We have poop bag areas, and we ask that you please pick up after your dog.”
To participate in the Meowy Mondays and Dog Days at the Garden, pet owners will need to pay a $5 in addition to their member or non-member admission fee. Visitors can also purchase a $20 Paw Pass to use on designated pet days over three months.
On Sept. 18 from 5 to 7 p.m., dog owners can celebrate the beginning of the fall season with their pup at Pooches & Pupkins, a tail-wagging evening of festive fun at the Garden. This event invites dog lovers and their four-legged friends to explore the scenic lawn spaces and festive pumpkin displays while showing off their most creative fall costumes.
The highlight of the evening will be the Pooch Parade, a playful costume contest featuring a photo op and prizes for the best-dressed pups. A panel of local celebrity judges will be on hand to select the winners.
“My husband and I brought our two dogs to Pooches and Pumpkins last year and got them dressed up and participated in the pooch parade,” Singletary said. “They are beagles and were in the last because they have to stop and sniff everything. Every walk with them is more of a sniffing session than a walk. They’re just funny little guys. They had a lot of fun. We have vendors at this, so they got their treats and enjoyed that.”
Singletary said that she enjoys bringing her dogs to the Dog Days at the Garden and that other pet owners can enjoy the experience as well.
“As a dog owner, I like bringing my dog here because I have my animals safely leashed and contained, for them to explore and safely socialize with other dogs,” she said. “I like that we’re trying to make sure that we’re providing an option for everyone in the community.”