There is only one man who could make several appearances across the country simultaneously, and it’s not Ryan Gosling on SNL. It’s Santa Claus. And he’s coming to meet your dog, because dogs never stop believing.
Here’s a round-up of stores and cities where Santa will be at, often at the exact same time (because magic), and will gladly hold your totally-not-freaked-out-and-super-cool-about-sitting-with-this-massive-white-bearded-dude pup.
Let’s go!
1. Boofy’s Best for Pets, Albuquerque, NM
Albuquerque’s natural pet food supplier invites all pets and humans to pose with Santa. A $10 suggested donation benefits FAT KATZ, an animal shelter with an indisputably funny name, even for us. (Be warned: Cats are welcome at this event.)
December 12– 11 AM to 3 PM
2. Petco, Almost everywhere, USA
Every year, one of the nation’s most dog-friendly retailers holds meet & greets with Santa himself. Find a Petco location near you for a photo op on December 12!
3. Sky Hotel, Aspen, CO
Santa Paws will feel right at home in the snowy mountains of Aspen in the “Sexiest ski lodge in North America” according to Playboy Magazine. This might be on purpose.
December 11– 5 PM to 7 PM
4. Barton Creek Square, Austin, TX
Photo packages will be available for purchase. Pets must be leashed or in a carrier. No exotic pets are allowed, in case you planned on bringing your three bearded dragons on leashes to meet Santa.
December 13– 8 PM to 10 PM
5. MSPCA Boston Adoption Center, Boston, MA
Boston’s MSPCA annual Pet Photos With Santa gives you a framed photo and four digital images to take home. All proceeds benefit the shelter.
December 12 & 13– 9 AM to 5 PM
6. The Cape Cod Dog, Eastham, MA
They specify that only four-legged friends are welcome, but we doubt they will turn away this face. Proceeds benefit the Brewster Shelter of Bawston.
December 12– 3 PM to 7 PM
7. Pet Source in Marlborough, Boston, MA
Santa will be posing with pups for a very good cause. All proceeds will benefit Phinney’s Friends, a local non-profit that provides financial assistance to low-income people in an effort to keep them and their pets together.
December 12– 11 AM to 3 PM
8. Yorktown Center, Chicago, IL
Pro tip: blindfold your dog until you reach Santa so he doesn’t know you’re in a shopping mall ;).
December 13– 7:30 PM
9. The Citadel, Colorado Springs, CO
Santa will welcome well-mannered and friendly pets to sit on his lap at The Citadel. I.e. any of these 18 pups might want to sit this one out.
December 15– 6 PM to 8 PM
10. The Dog Lofts (Dec 12), The Velvet Snout (Dec 13) , Dallas, TX
Santa, his elf and his professional photographer will be making memories with your pup all in the name of Dalmatians.
December 12– 10 AM to 3 PM
December 13– 10 AM to 3 PM
11. Erwin Park, Dallas, TX
If you still have a pulse after seeing the image below, then you might consider making an appointment for a unique opportunity to meet Santa and animal photographer Jenna Regan. Learn more about her project, A Home for Christmas, here.
December 13– By appointment only. Click here to make one.
12. Cherry Creek Shopping Center, Denver, CO
“This sounds like there’s a lot going on but I don’t smell anything fun.” -your dog at a shopping mall.
December 13– 7 PM to 10 PM
14. The Wagging Tail , Las Vegas, NV
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas unless it’s a dog that you fell in love with and took home. This is what The Wagging Tail is going for with its Christmas Photos + Adoption event. That’s how they getcha.
December 12– 11 AM to 2 PM
15. The Grove, Los Angeles, CA
Santa gave pups plenty of chances to take the perfect picture with three consecutive Tuesday appearances. Next Tuesday the 15th will be his last. Don’t miss it.
December 15– 6 PM to close
16. Beverly Center, Los Angeles, CA
Note: You DON’T need to be a celebrity or celebridog to sit with Santa at Beverly Center. Santa doesn’t care about fame. Right Santa? Where’s your left hand btw?
December 7 through 23– 12 PM to 8 PM
December 24– 10 AM to 6 PM
17. Dolphin Mall, Miami, FL
Santa learned Spanish for the Miami-speaking pups to feel more at ease.
December 16– from 7:30 PM to 9 PM
18. Mall of America, Minneapolis, MN
Don’t forget to read the guidelines and sign the waiver before visiting Santa in the largest mall in the United States.
December 13– 7:30 PM to 9 PM
19. Southdale Shopping Center, Minneapolis, MN
Apparently the Simon Property Group partnered with Santa this year because lots of its shopping centers are welcoming him and everyone’s dogs. Check out all participating locations here.
December 13– 6 PM to 8 PM
20. Mount Laurel Animal Hospital, Mount Laurel, NJ
Hospital visits are never fun for anyone, unless you’re going to see Santa. Not like, he’s hospitalized or anything, but that he’s only there to take pictures with your dog. Not because your dog is sick, everyone is healthy, but because it’s the holidays. Anyways, you’ll get a stocking filled with goodies along with your framed photo, so come by!
December 19– 11 AM to 2 PM
21. Hotel Palomar, Philadelphia, PA
You may or may not show up with one dog and leave with two, thanks to the adorable adoptable pups from Saved Me that’ll be hanging out with Santa this Saturday, along with hot chocolate, homemade cookies and swag bags.
December 12– 1 PM to 4 PM
22. Paradise Valley Mall, Phoenix, AZ
Santa is visiting the small humans of Phoenix, but he reserved special hours for just pets. That means no mingling with the sticky children, only the hairiest of quadrupeds sitting on Santa’s lap for two hours.
December 15– 6 PM to 9 PM
23. Frontier Veterinary Hospital, Portland, OR
The happiest visit to the vet you and your pup will ever make. Promise.
December 12– 1 PM to 6 PM
24. Hotel Monaco, Portland, OR
If you’ve never visited a beautiful hotel (you’re not staying at) with your dog, met Santa, partaken in doggie cookie decorating and sipped on hot cocoa, all at the same time, now’s your chance. All proceeds benefit the Oregon Humane Society.
December 12– 12 PM to 3 PM
25. At Your Service Pet Supplies, Portland, OR
These very special photos with Santa will benefit Chase Away K9 Cancer, a non-profit that funds canine cancer studies and helps raise K9 cancer awareness.
December 18– 3 PM to 8 PM
December 19– 1 PM to 6 PM
26. Raleigh Brewing Company, Raleigh, NC
Puppies, beer and Santa. That’s literally all you need to know.
December 12– 12 PM to 4 PM
27. San Diego Santa Run, San Diego, CA
For the more athletic dogs that won’t settle for a photo shoot with a very non-athletic Santa, there’s the San Diego Santa Run. It’s a 5k race in which all (human) participants run in full Santa suits with their dogs. The less ambitious can run in the 1 mile race. Let your dog decide.
December 11– 11 AM to 7 PM
28. Fashion Valley, San Diego, CA
Fashion Valley sounds exactly like the kind of place you’d want your dog and Santa posing together in front of a towering Christmas tree before you leave them at doggie daycare and spend way too much money on candles and other home decor.
December 13– 7 PM to 8 PM
29. Smitten Ice Cream in Pacific Heights, San Francisco, CA
San Francisco Santa isn’t too fond of cats, sorry guys. But attention all dogs: he wants to meet you.
December 12– 11:30 AM
30. Lots of places in Seattle, WA
Click here for all the places you and your pup can meet Santa in Seattle!
31. Purina PawsWay, Toronto, Ontario
Last but not least, Canada, Santa’s favorite because there, everyone is just as nice as he. So nice, in fact, that the proceeds from this meet and greet will contribute to the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, helping Canadians with disabilities live better lives with guide dogs.
December 12, 13, 19 & 20– 11 AM to 2 PM and 3 PM to 5 PM
