By Lisa Kava

Upper West Side dogs who already have their Halloween costumes do not need to wait until October 31st to dress up. The third annual “Trick-or-Treat Night for Dogs“ is happening on Sunday, October 27, from 4 p.m.-7 p.m.

Forty businesses located between West 67th and West 83rd Streets, from Columbus Avenue to Broadway, will give out treats to dogs as they stroll through the neighborhood in costume. A collaboration between the Columbus Avenue BID and Open Streets, this is the first year that Columbus Avenue will be closed to vehicles between West 67th and 77th Streets during the trick-or-treat event. 

Dog owners can pick up complimentary trick-or-treat bags at four locations: Camp Canine (46 West 73rd Street), The Pet Market (132 West 72nd Street), West Side Veterinary Center ( 220 West 83rd Street), or Bond Vet (352 Amsterdam Avenue). [See map below for cross streets.] The treats that participating UWS merchants will dispense are from Rescue Treats, a company that uses all natural ingredients and donates a percentage of their profits to animal rescue organizations. 

Trick-or-Treat Night for Dogs  was founded in October, 2022, by Amanda Gay, marketing director of Camp Canine, an Upper West Side dog day-care and grooming facility. “It has always been a goal and passion of mine to create fun, unique moments that people can share with their pets,” she told West Side Rag. At the first event, 25 Upper West Side businesses participated. 

Greater local business participation isn’t the only change this year; there are some new and exciting attractions. Forty dogs will be selected by judges on-site to take part in a costume contest on Columbus Avenue between West 73rd and West 74th Streets, from 6 p.m.-7 p.m. The judges include actor Jackie Hoffman from the Hulu series Only Murders in the Building, Christoper Bromson (executive director of the AKC Museum of the Dog, Ben Lenovitz (pet portrait artist), Fern Watt (founder of New York Dog Parade), and influencer Sunglass Cat. Prizes are: $500 to Top Dog (best overall costume), a $125 gift card from Pet Market to Good Dog (silliest costume), and a $125 gift card to a participating UWS business for Bad Dog (scariest costume).

There will be live music from 4 p.m.- 6p.m. outside Malin +Goetz, the skincare store on the southwest corner of West 72nd Street and Columbus Avenue. The rescue organization, Animal Lighthouse Rescue, will be stationed in front of Paper Source on West 74th Street and Columbus Avenue with some of their adoptable dogs.

“It’s been a dream to see this event grow every year,” Gay told the Rag. “I am overjoyed by how many trick-or-treaters come out and how many additional businesses want to participate. I love seeing so many people and dogs getting joy out of the event, and making memories.”

For a list and map of all participating Upper West Side businesses click —HERE.

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