Best Pet-Friendly Halloween Events In San Francisco
Pet Pride 2012
Sharon Meadow - Golden Gate Park
320 Bowling Green Drive
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 587-1121
www.gratefuldogsrescue.org
Date: October 28
The Grateful Dogs Rescue and San Francisco Animal Care and Control will be holding an adoption event on October 28 in Golden Gate Park from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Find your new furry friend or bring along your current pooch to support the effort. Meet the dogs who have been lovingly foster-cared by volunteers and are ready to love you for life. San Francisco's pet charity Muttville will be also be participating in Pet Pride with some senior dogs available for a new home.
Noe Valley Harvest Festival 2012
24th St. between Church St. and Sanchez St.
San Francisco, CA 94110
www.noevalleyharvestfestival.com
Date: October 27
There are plenty of arts and crafts to enjoy at the 8th Annual Noe Valley Festival which runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on October 27. The festival will be held on 24th Street and offers a family-centered array of artists showcasing their designs along with pumpkin fun. Bring along your dog to get them in on a canine costume contest where your pooch can compete for prizes. Kids have their own Halloween costume competition along with live bands and a pie-eating contest. Other features include pumpkin decorations, jugglers and an actual harvest from the Noe Valley Farmers Market which opens at 8 a.m. on the day. Another neighborhood association, the Noe Valley Merchants and Professionals Association, will host a simultaneous event on the same day, its 24th Street Hay Ride Festival.
12th Annual Halloween Hoopla
Children's Garden
760 Howard St.
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 543-1718
www.ybgfestival.org
Date: October 28
Families with young children are putting on an outdoor show for kids ages 10 and under at the Yerba Buena Gardens near the Metreon in downtown San Francisco. Show up with a costume and take in the live musical shows, shop for eco-friendly crafts and see the parade walk. Get creative and bring your dogs for a walk while treating youngsters to games and origami. The event is free and goes from noon to 1:30 p.m. on October 28.
Related: Five Vet Tips To Keep Your Dog Healthy In San Francisco
Spooktacular Halloween Party & Trick or Treat in Japantown
Japantown Peace Plaza
1610 Geary Blvd.
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 567-4573
www.sfjapantown.org
Date: October 28
San Francisco's historic Japantown hosts a free trick-or-treat event on the afternoon of October 28 from 12 p.m to 4 p.m., but to attend without cost requires a costume. Consider arriving with matching pet and owner costumes. This all-ages party has craft making, trick-or-treating and haunted Halloween games for the family. Trick-or-treating will take place in the malls and you can also get temporary tattoos and paint your face to accentuate your costume.
PAWS 25th Anniversary Celebration
San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center
401 Van Ness Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 579-9550
www.pawssf.org/25thAnniversary
Date: November 8
Join the headquarters of PAWS in San Francisco on Thursday, November 8 at the historic San Francisco War Memorial for a gala benefit. There is even an opportunity for special sponsors and guests to meet local celebrities. However, everyone will enjoy the celebrity pet auction items, the gallery of human-animal bond photographs, a jazz performance and all sorts of special wine. Meet some of the people behind this supportive organization and some of the pets they have helped. Regular tickets sell for $125 and VIP passes for the President's Reception are $250. Although all animals should be left at home for this event, feel good about supporting your beloved pet.
Rheba Estante is a freelance writer covering all things San Francisco. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.
