JUNE

1 Extraordinarily wild weather seems to be par for the course these days. June 1 brings with it the start of Hurricane Season and, not coincidentally, NATIONAL PET PREPAREDNESS MONTH. Pull from the Pet Preparedness Social Media Toolkit at ready.gov/pet-toolkit to create a campaign, and add a front-and-center display that includes a preparedness checklist and items on it: first aid kits, travel accessories, single-serving food, calming supplements, etc.

4 For many felines, HUG YOUR CAT DAY is likely akin to Thanksgiving with the weird cousins — an event they’d rather avoid. But you have the power to turn an uncomfortable experience into a positive one with a promotion on squeezable treats that promote bonding. One quick hug for a tasty snack? Seems like a good deal to us.

17/18 Dog moms aren’t the only parental figures in a pet’s life who might appreciate a portrait. For NATIONAL DOG DAD DAY and FATHER’S DAY, create a selfie station where dads can strike a pose with their dog, cat, or other furry or scaly family member. Hold a photo contest after on your socials, asking followers to vote for the parent and pet who look most alike.

21 It’s the FIRST DAY OF SUMMER, the perfect time to introduce and/or promote a summer bath pass to your self-wash tubs. Sherry Jennings of Mississippi Mutts in Cape Girardeau, MO, combines her pass with discounts on service upgrades and related products. She says, “This raises our profit margin on the discounted bath transactions.”

22 On NATIONAL PET CHOKING PREVENTION DAY, launching this year thanks to a partnership between Bow Wow Labs and Dr. Judy Morgan, educate your customers on the seriousness of this issue. More than 200,000 incidents happen each year, with every single one of them preventable! Get tips and a video to share at nationalpetchoking
preventionday.com.

JULY

1 Celebrate NATIONAL ICE CREAM MONTH with a social on any day in July. DIY mixes and single-serve options are available from your favorite brands, but whichever you pick be sure to also offer a toppings bar complete with freeze-dried options. Follow the lead of Mary Hardin of Woofgang Bakery in Fleming Island, FL, who labels hers with adorable names such as Unicorn Dust, Sandy Paws and Doggie Dirt. And make the event extra-special like Jill Tack of Pet Beastro in Madison Heights, MI — she has a pet caricaturist on hand to create works of art on branded paper. They cost $10, which goes to a local rescue.

2 Wave the flag for your favorite American manufacturers on MADE IN THE USA DAY. Looking for new brands to carry? See our regular product sections each issue for leads, and if you haven’t yet joined the PETS+ Sample Box program, do so ASAP. We’re putting together a Made in the USA box that goes out in July. Apply at petsplusmag.com/samplebox.

3 Extreme heat across the country last year had people rushing to the sanctuary of malls, with their cool air and shopping opportunities. On AIR CONDITIONING APPRECIATION DAY, remind customers going stir crazy that they and their panting pets are always welcome at your business. Offer refreshments for the people and pups, and take advantage of the “captive” audience to talk up your coolest summer products.

24 Even before the COVID-19 crisis, one of the few areas where Walmart and other traditional retailers were beating Amazon was with “buy online, pick up in-store.” On NATIONAL DRIVE-THRU DAY, offer a small discount to anyone who opts to do business with you this way. It’s a convenience Americans can’t get enough of, and it gives you the opportunity to get creative with your curbside game. For example, Lucky Dog Pet Grocery & Bakery in Lawrence, KS, has been known to send out staff on roller skates.

25 Christmas in July. Yes, it’s 91 degrees F. outside, the very last piece of music anyone wants to hear is SILENT NIGHT, but these sales work. Do you have any old stock to move as you begin initial preparations for buying at SuperZoo?