Visit Orlando Blog

Pet Events in Orlando

Granted, Orlando is very well-known for all the cool and exciting events offered to all our visitors. Now, there are plenty of pet friendly options and events in Orlando guaranteed to make your furry pals smile.

Wine for Whiskers Is a Summer Wine Festival that will take place July 19 at the Doubletree by Hilton in Downtown Orlando. Wine for Whiskers is a night of casual wine tasting in the heart of Central Florida; all proceeds from this annual event go to helping find permanent loving homes for thousands of animals in Orlando. For more information about the event visit orlandopets.org

The Pampered Pet Expo is one of the biggest pet events in Orlando. Although pets are not allowed at this event, families are invited to shop the booths for food and goodies; toys and supplies; housing and furniture; clothes and costumes and more. There are also fun activities like educational presentations, entertainment, exhibits, pet adoptions, prizes and giveaways.

The 12th Annual Park Avenue Pet Costume Contest takes place in dog-friendly Winter Park on October 30th.  This annual Halloween event includes large and small dog costume contests, caricature artists, dog trainers, pet trick-or-treating, holistic massages, all natural foods, pet sitting, and day care. This event will benefit the Sebastian Haul Fund - a fund created to help local greyhound organizations transport retired racing greyhounds to loving homes in other states. Oh, and leave any retractable leashes at home! :-)

It's a party! The Howl-O-Ween in the Boneyard Costume Party is held at Paw Park Place each year in the historic town of Sanford, minutes away from sunny Orlando. Dog will have the chance to win prizes in various costume contests. The fun-filled day also includes K-9 demonstrations, games, prizes and more.

As part of the Orlando Christmas Parade, the 1.5-mile ( 2.4-kilometer) Annual Jingle Bell Dog Jog kicks off on the corner of Rosalind Avenue and Robinson Street, travels through the streets of Downtown Orlando and ends on the corner of Orange Avenue and Amelia Street. Pets and owners have the chance to win prizes in costume contests categories including funniest and best use of props. After the jog, guests can watch the parade from a special viewing area in front of the Amphitheatre.

Pet-Friendly Options in Orlando

Pets are wonderful creatures, aren't they? There's practically nothing we wouldn't do for them. Now, ever had that million dollar question: Where will the pets stay when we take that much-needed vacation to Orlando? Most likely you have and we have great news for you. Orlando has plenty of options for the little furry ones. In fact, Orlando has many places stay and play with your pet while you visit. Just like you, your pet can dine, get pampered, relax and sight see at a variety pet-friendly venues.

Doggie Daycare

• SeaWorld Orlando Kennels are located just outside the main entrance and will board family pets for the day. Owners should provide food and are responsible for walking their pet throughout their stay at the park. The kennels are air conditioned and remain open half an hour after the park closes. Cost - $15.00 per day ($10.00 for Passport members - excluding Fun Cards).
• Universal Orlando Resort offers the Studio Kennel where guests can board their family pets for the day. The kennel is located in the parking structure and closes two hours after the last park shuts its door for the day. Guests must provide food and return periodically to walk their pet. No overnight boarding is permitted. Cost - $15.00 per pet

• At the Walt Disney World Resort, guests can board their family friends in fun-yet-luxurious accommodations at Best Friends Pet Care Resort. This one-of-a-kind facility provides a full range of pet hospitality services including boarding, grooming and day camps. The pet resort, located across from the Disney's Port Orleans Resort, offers both daytime and overnight boarding for all types of pets including dogs, cats and "pocket pets," such as hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits and ferrets.
• At K-9 Lounge guests can take advantage of the wonders of technology with services like a live doggie Web cam using the KidsVision Web Cam Service, allowing parents to watch their pooch from any computer (or device) with an Internet connection. They also offer a wide range of services to keep any pup happy and healthy including daycare, boarding, pet sitting and grooming. Cost $24 (One Day); $99 (5 day); $180 (10 day)

Ritzy Pet Palaces

• Loews Hotels (Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel and Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando) - These pet-friendly digs not only accept the family pet, but they encourage their stay. Loews Loves Pets is a specially designed program that caters to the needs of cuddly creatures and their owners. Upon arrival, all pets receive their very own welcome amenity, including a logo bowl, placemat and special treat to start their vacation off on the right paw. They're offering the Woofie Weekends at Loews, valid until December 31, 2012.
• At Happy Paws Pet Resort every detail has been made to cater to a stress free, fun and perrrfect stay for pets. The facility offers top-notch air conditioning units which filtrate and purifies the air and make it virtually viral free, double insulation for noise reduction, and a "bone shaped" salt water based pool (the only one in the Orlando area) for relaxation and fun.  Services include grooming, doggie day care, dog and cat boarding, training and other pet-oriented concierge services.