Animal-themed movies, dog fashion show, and adoption/rescue opportunities highlight series of four summer events to celebrate dogs and raise awareness around waste pickup and water quality

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is excited to present a series of “Canines for Clean Water” events at four Minneapolis parks this summer!

These events will feature an awesome array of dog-themed activities, adoption/rescue opportunities, and information and giveaways from pet care and water quality organizations. Every Canines for Clean Water party is capped by an animal-themed Movie in the Park at sunset! It’s all free to attend and open to all!

Canines for Clean Water Events

July 25: Loring Park

Dog Costume Contest: Check in at 6:30 pm to participate in a dog costume contest! The contest starts at 6:45 pm.
Activities: 6:45 pm-8:15 pm
Movie: Best in Show at 8:45 pm

August 1: JD Rivers’ Children’s Garden

Activities: 7:00 pm-8:15 pm
Movie: Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit at 8:45 pm

August 22: Powderhorn Park

Activities: 6:30 pm-7:45 pm
Movie: Puss in Boots: The Last Wish at 8:15 pm

August 29: North Mississippi Regional Park

Activities: 6:30 pm-7:45 pm
Movie: The Little Mermaid (2023) at 8:00 pm
Event will be staged near the wading pool and playground.

Pet Waste and Water Quality

When pet waste isn’t picked up, it washes directly into nearby storm drains and negatively impacts water quality in lakes, ponds, creeks and rivers. The Environmental Protection Agency includes dog waste as a “nonpoint source of pollution” because it can pollute water bodies resulting in excessive algae and weed growth.

Pet waste also pollutes water with harmful bacteria that can transmit disease to humans and cause beach closures. While dog waste isn’t the biggest pollutant to our water bodies, it is one of many small sources that add up to a bigger problem. Dog owners can help by picking up after their pup!

Partner Organizations

A variety of groups are teaming up to make Canines for Clean Water an amazing summertime park party:

• Brooklyn Park Subaru
• Chuck & Don’s Minneapolis Uptown
• Minneapolis Animal Care and Control
• My Pit Bull is Family’s Mobile Pet Resource Center
• Freshwater Society
• Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (Aug 29)
• The Loppet (Aug 1)
• Vet Partners Pet Hospital Minneapolis (July 25 and Aug 22)
• Schulz Photography (July 25 and Aug 22)
• Scruff Life Photography (Aug 1 and Aug 29)

Dog Rescue Partners

A dog rescue organization will host a meet-and-greet dog adoption opportunity at each event:

• New Leash Rescue (July 25)
• The Rescue Crew (Aug 1)
• Underdog Rescue (Aug 22)
• RPAW: Rescued Pets are Wonderful (Aug 29)