Raising the woof: Elks invite dogs to Friday home game

The Edmonton Elks are hosting their first ever Dog Days of Summer game, encouraging fans to bring their four-legged family members.

Feel like ruff-ing it for football on Friday?

That’s when it’ll be paw-ty time for Edmonton Elks fans and their favourite furry pals at Commonwealth Stadium for the Canadian Football League team’s next home game.

Friday’s game theme is Dog Days of Summer, the first time the Elks have invited dogs to attend. Chelsea Smith, the event coordinator for the Edmonton Humane Society, said that among the canine-friendly activities planned around the stadium: a special pregame tailgate party, agility equipment, treats and pools for pups in case they need to cool off.

Dogs and their owners will have their own special entrance and section as well for the 7 p.m. game against the B.C. Lions.

There’s a special way to get to the game, too: A bark-and-ride shuttle via the Edmonton Inn to and from the stadium.

“These events are definitely important for outreach and bringing the community together,” Smith told CTV News Edmonton on Monday at Commonwealth Stadium. “We love to see events where you can bring your puppy with you and really make people and pets thrive together.”

Owners are asked to have their dogs up-to-date on their vaccinations and to have their pet registered with the city before coming to the stadium.

The Elks use themes for each of their home games. They held a ‘Salute To Service’ for members of the Canadian Armed Forces last week and are planning a dinosaur-themed Prehistoric Party for their Aug. 1 home game against Saskatchewan.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Sean McClune