TrustedHousesitters To Spread Holiday Cheer For Shelter Dogs With A Dog Toy Drive

TrustedHousesitters, the largest and most trusted vacation pet sitting community of its kind, is hosting a shelter pet holiday toy drive at the Little Italy Dog Park. The toy drive will benefit shelter dogs from local rescue, The Animal Pad (TAP), a 100% volunteer-based local non-profit, all breed dog rescue focusing on saving dogs from high kill shelters and the streets of Mexico.

“The holidays are some of the hardest for rescue and shelter dogs”, said Angela Laws, award-winning community manager of TrustedHousesitters and fellow pet sitter. “Our hope is to help make their holidays a little brighter with some new toys. The Little Italy Association has been an incredible partner in our journey towards helping The Animal Pad continue to rescue pups and help them find their furever homes, and we love how supportive the local residents have been too. We can’t wait to see the sweet faces of the shelter pups once they get their new toys!”

The event will be hosted by TrustedHousesitters and Dogs of Instagram inside the Little Italy Dog Park from 10AM-2PM. Attendees are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped dog toy to the event, and will receive a complimentary holiday caricature of their pet from Marco, free treats donated by The Great Pet Shop, and raffles including the opportunity to win an Annual Premium Membership to TrustedHousesitters.

Little Italy is home to over 3,000 pups, many of them rescue pets, and its historic dog park is a must-visit for all pet owners. The park is a safe and enclosed space for dogs to play freely and meet up with the other neighborhood dogs. It also offers shade-filled places for pet owners to sit, including community-sponsored benches, a well maintained surface, and delicious coffee from Caffe Caritazza.

For more information on TrustedHousesitters, please visit here. For more information on the Little Italy Dog Park and Little Italy, please visit here. For more information on The Animal Pad, please visit here.

See you there, San Diego!

The Latest

The Craving: San Diego Food + Drink News – Week of September 14, 2026

The Craving is ThereSanDiego's weekly guide to what's worth eating and drinking in San Diego right now. Every Tuesday, we surface new restaurant openings, standout happy hours, limited-time menu specials, and upcoming food events across the city - so you know what's happening before everyone else does.

Swimmers taking on the challenge at Swim for SOF

Cheer On Swimmers at the 6th Annual Swim for SOF

San Diego Bay is about to host one of the city’s most inspiring athletic challenges. The Honor Foundation’s 6th Annual Swim for SOF brings together...

Fly Into the Holidays With A Magical Cirque Christmas in Oceanside

Join us for a Magical Cirque Christmas oceanside, where stunning performances and holiday cheer create an unforgettable night.

Browse Rare Books and Enter a Costume Contest at the North Park Book Fair

Experience the vibrant North Park Book Fair with vendors, a costume contest, and endless bookish delights. Admission is free!

Grab a Seat and a Stein at the 10th Annual East Village Oktoberfest

Experience the 10th East Village Oktoberfest with a tight tap list and the best of Munich-style beer culture in San Diego.

A festive afternoon at Oishii Japanese Food & Sake Festival

Taste Your Way Through Oishii Japanese Food & Sake Fest

Spend the afternoon tasting your way through the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum at the Oishii Japanese Food & Sake Fest. From savory street food...