Dunkin' prepping for pups on sweet 'National Dog Day'

In recognition of National Dog Day — Aug. 26 — Dunkin’ franchisees in Western Pennsylvania will give dogs a free custom bandana with a purchase. That’s if they bring along their owners at store drive-throughs.

Also on Monday, Dunkin’ will provide five regional animal shelters with donations of cash, bandanas and treats.

“We love seeing dogs come through our drive-through and National Dog Day is the perfect time to help local shelters care for dogs so they can be adopted by people who love them just as much as the hundreds of pups who visit us each day on our patios and in our drive-throughs,” Chelsea Halker, Heartland Restaurant Group spokeswoman, says in a release.

Regional shelters receiving $500 donations include Animal Friends, Butler County Humane Society, Indiana County Humane Society, Washington County Humane Society and the Humane Society of Westmoreland County.

Also on National Dog Day, the Dunkin’ on Washington Road in Mount Lebanon will host a Yappy Hour on its patio. A photo booth and meet-and-greet with Tori Mistick, dog mom blogger with Wear, Wag, Repeat, and her dogs will take place from 4 to 6 p.m.

Ongoing shelter support

Beginning in September, 10% of sales proceeds from a special “Dog Donut” (made for human consumption) and Brew at Home products sold on the last Monday of the month will go to the above shelters.

The bandanas and the dog doughnut will be available at every regional Dunkin’ except Irwin, North Versailles and New Castle locations while supplies last, according to a spokeswoman.

“We encourage dog lovers throughout the region to mark their calendar and visit participating Dunkin’s on the last Monday of the month so that we can provide even more funds to care for animals and adopt them into forever homes,” Halker says.