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Waggin' Wheels / Events
What is Waggin' Wheels?
In 2019 the Norfolk Animal Care Center (NACC) was the recipient of the Stanton Foundation's $250,000 grant to purchase a mobile adoption unit. Additional donations from Towne Bank and Friends of NACC funded the unique exterior with pictures of NACC alumni pets, employees and volunteers, in addition to supplies and materials needed to properly care for the animals during transport. As a result of an online community naming contest, the unit was affectionately named Waggin' Wheels. In January 2022, the custom-built Waggin' Wheel's arrived with 14 built-in crates designed for safe animal transport. Waggin’ Wheels allows NACC to have a mobile presence in the community while also increasing NACC's visibility and participation at various adoption and outreach events.
For questions and/or potential partnership opportunities please reach out to NACC's Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator directly at volunteerNACC@norfolk.gov.
We hope you find your forever friend at one our events!
Where's Waggin' Wheels?
Norfolk Animal Care Center Waggin' Wheels Events Calendar
Friday July 7, 2023 - Pups on the Patio: Dogs & Coffee? YES PLEASE! Meet adoptable dogs at the patio of Starbucks located at 1119 North Military Highway/Raby Road. Reoccurring on the first Friday, monthly, from 11:00a - 12:30p.
Saturday July 8, 2023 - Waggin' Wheels Mobile Pet Pantry: More info here: Free Pet Food Pantry | City of Norfolk, Virginia - Official Website
Friday July 14, 2023 at 1:30pm - Storytime with Dogs: The Norfolk Animal Care Center will be visiting the Park Place Norfolk Public Library with NACC Alumni dogs for a special story time! Register by calling 757-664-7330. The NPL will be serving free meals prior from 11am-1:30pm as well.
Saturday July 15, 2023 - Keartures Feature: Senior pet adoption event: To celebrate NACC Alumni dog, Kreature, and all of the other wonderfully adoptable senior pets waiting for their forever homes - the Friends of NACC is throwing a senior animal adoption event and fundraiser for NACC called “Kreatures Features." The goal is for the Norfolk Animal Care Center and other local rescues to bring out their adoptable senior dogs, cats, and pets for the public to meet and hopefully adopt. As well as pet focused vendors there to purchase from for their new and existing family members. It will be held at Elation Brewing in Norfolk, VA. More info here: (18) Kreature's Features: Senior Pet Adoption Event | Facebook
Sunday July 16, 2023 - Norfolk Tides' Bark in the Park: Norfolk Tides fans will have the opportunity to enjoy a game with their four-legged friends, with all proceeds from dog ticket sales donated to Friends of Norfolk Animal Care Center! Tickets for humans are $15 if purchased in advance and $18 if purchased the day of the game. Dog tickets are $5 per dog and are available either online or at the Harbor Park Box Office. All fans entering Harbor Park with their dog must complete a 2023 Bark in the Park Waiver as well as having an up-to-date rabies vaccine. Contact the box office at Harbor Park with any questions.
Past Events
Friday June 2, 2023 - Pups on the Patio: Dogs & Coffee? YES PLEASE! Meet adoptable dogs at the patio of Starbucks 1119 North Military Highway/Raby Road. Reoccuring on the first friday, monthly, from 11:00a - 12:30p.
Saturday June 3, 2023 - Runaway Bay Apartment's Donation drive & Adoption event: Runaway Bay Apartments has teamed up with their tenants to hold a donation drive and adoption event at their complex to benefit our animals. Come out from 12:30-3:30pm for some vendors, meet adoptable animals, and drop off any donations you may have. Don't forget to speak with the staff while you're there about their inclusive pet policies. They do not discriminate against a dog's breed or weight, which brings smiles to all of our faces! Runaway Bay Apartments - 100 Runaway Bay Drive VB, VA 23452
Friday June 9, 2023 - Harborfest: Festevents has been gracious enough to host the Friends of NACC at one of their beer tents. All tips and a portion of proceeds will go to FNACC, which directly impacts our animals care. Be sure to stop by and see us! We will be in attendance from 11:30a-11:00p! More info here: Festevents :: Norfolk Harborfest
Saturday June 10, 2023 - Waggin' Wheels Mobile Pet Pantry: More info here: Free Pet Food Pantry | City of Norfolk, Virginia - Official Website
Saturday June 10, 2023 - Reaver NFK Pride Drag Show: We are ready to werk! The Norfolk Animal Care Center will be in attendance with NACC merch for purchase, as well as alumni dogs that are ready to sissy that walk. We cannot wait to show our PRIDE. See you there! Pre-Purchase tickets today on Eventbrite! Pride-Fest Drag Show Hosted by Javon Love @ Reaver NFK! Tickets, Sat, Jun 10, 2023 at 9:00 PM | Eventbrite
Thursday June 15, 2023 - Sentara Leigh Hospital Donation Drive: Find Waggin' Wheels parked in front of Sentara Leighs Healing Garden from 11:00a-1:30p. We will be collecting donations as well as having a few adoptable animals in attendance! 830 Kempsville Road. Norfolk, VA.
Saturday June 17, 2023 - Elation Brewing's Summer Festival: The Summer Festival will feature live rock & roll all day, live art, and carnival games to raise money for the LGBT Life Center (Home - LGBT Life Center) and the Friends of the Norfolk Animal Care Center! Waggin' Wheels will be in attendance with adoptable animals. More info here: https://fb.me/e/Fq8cHSUb
Saturday June 24, 2023 - Pridefest's Break Free 23': PrideFest is the largest annual LGBT festival in Virginia and the City of Norfolk’s largest one-day festival! Headliner Main Stage entertainment, local and regional LGBT+ talent, Family Zone Games & Activities, Club PrideFest, a History and Equality Experience, Food Vendors and more! PrideFest combines entertainment, vendors, and fun activities for all ages. PrideFest attracts thousands of visitors and brings together local residents, families, and businesses to unite the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) and allied communities in support of inclusion, dignity and equality of all people. More info here: 35th Annual PrideFest 2023 – Hampton Roads Pride
Saturday May 6, 2023 - Spring Book Sale & Community Fair: Stock up on books for the summer and connect with community partners at the Mary D. Pretlow Anchor Branch Library (111 W. Ocean View Ave) from 10am to 2pm. Book sale benefits Friends of the Norfolk Public Library. More info: https://www.norfolkpubliclibrary.org/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/96282/5
Saturday May 13, 2023 - Peta's Poochella: Poochella is PETA's annual Multishelter Adoption Event at Bea Arthur Dog Park (501 Front Street). It's a tail-wagging good time with vendors, scrumptious grilled veggie burgers and franks and lots of wonderful dogs from local shelters in search of loving, forever homes. More info: Peta Poochella
Saturday May 13, 2023 - Waggin' Wheels Mobile Pet Pantry: More info here: Free Pet Food Pantry | City of Norfolk, Virginia - Official Website
Tuesday May 16, 2023 - Bayview Civic League Meeting: We'll be discussing Norfolk Animal Care Center's role in the community and what we do, programs we offer, statistics and much more! More information at: (3) Bayview Civic League | Norfolk VA | Facebook
Saturday April 1, 2023 - Egg-Streme Egg Drop: Have you ever seen a HELICOPTER drop eggs from the sky? Norfolk Parks and Recreation is hosting EGGS-Treme Egg Drop! Join us for a safe and fun egg hunt. Watch as a helicopter drops thousands of eggs from the sky! Families will enjoy games, prizes, raffles, music and more! Bring the kids and enjoy a family-friendly outdoor experience in Norfolk! See the full information here: www.eggstremedrop.eventbrite.com or email parksrecevents@norfolk.gov
Saturday April 8, 2023 - Waggin' Wheels Mobile Pet Pantry: More info here: Free Pet Food Pantry | City of Norfolk, Virginia - Official Website
Saturday April 15, 2023 - Tales for Tails Storytime event at the Norfolk Animal Care Center: NACC & REACH/The Big Free Bookstore has partnered up for another Storytime event. Bring your kids by for a circle time story read by a BFBS staff member while NACC alumni dogs run around and interact with guests. Afterwards don’t forget to take home your bag with a free book and so much more! See the full information here: www.norfolk.gov/nacc or email volunteerNACC@Norfolk.gov
Friday April 21, 2023 - Velvet Witch New Moon Market: Tarot readings, aura photos, witchy artisans and crafters, and of course delicious food! The Norfolk Animal Care Center will be in attendance with adoptable animals so that every witch can find their familiar! See the full information here: www.velvetwitch.com
Saturday April 22, 2023 - Reaver NFK's 2nd Anniversary Party: It's an all-day parking lot party! Vendors - food - & adoptable animals! See the full information here: Norfolk Taproom (reaverbeach.com)
Saturday March 18, 2023 - Ocean View Parade: The 56th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade is a fun filled parade with all the marching bands, clowns, floats, cars, and people necessary to make up an exciting and enjoyable parade.See the full information here: www.norfolkparade.com
Sunday March 19, 2023 - Engage Norfolk: The 6th Annual Engage Norfolk event returns to the SCOPE Exhibition Hall. With more than 100+ organizations and departments represented, this is a one-stop-civic-workshop open to all residents free of charge. See the full information here: https://www.engagenorfolk.com/civicfair
Saturday January 21, 2023 – Donation Drive & Adoption event to benefit NACC at Reaver NFK: Reaver (Norfolk location) is bringing back one of their favorite events in honor of Betty White's Birthday. What better way to celebrate an absolute legend than celebrating her animal advocacy and teaming up with our friends at Norfolk Animal Care Center for a donation drive and adoption event! See the full information here: (3) Thank You for Being a Friend (of Norfolk Animal Care Center) - Donation Drive & Adoption Event | Facebook
Saturday November 5, 2022 – VegFest at the VB Oceanfront: the Hampton Roads VegFest! NACC will be rolling out to the event on Saturday 11/5 in Waggin' Wheels with adoptable cats and small animals, as well as merch for sale, and free pet supplies while they last! We will also be recruiting volunteers and fosters. See the full information here: https://www.facebook.com/HamptonRoadsVegFest/
Saturday October 22, 2022 – Dogtoberfest at Elation Brewing: Friends of NACC’s 9th Annual Dogtoberfest! Proceeds from Mutt Lager sales will go to our animals care! There will be several dog themed vendors on site for shopping, live music, and a food. We will be in attendance with adoptable animals, as well as selling merch and recruiting volunteers and fosters. See the full information here: https://www.facebook.com/NorfolkBBB
Saturday October 15, 2022 – “Shred fest” at Pembroke Mall: Make sure to catch us at the Better Business Bureau’s National secure your ID day & Donation drive to benefit our animals at NACC! We will be in attendance with adoptable animals, as well as selling merch and recruiting volunteers and fosters. See the full information here: https://www.facebook.com/NorfolkBBB
Saturday September 24, 2022 – Adoptoberfest at Reaver Brewing: Reaver Brewing is holding a adoption event and donation drive just for NACC! There will be several dog themed vendors on site for shopping, live music, and a food truck. We will be in attendance with adoptable animals, as well as selling merch and recruiting volunteers and fosters. See the full information here: https://www.reaverbeach.com/slug/adoptoberfest-donation-drive-adoption-event-with-norfolk-animal-care-center
Wednesday September 21, 2022 – Extra Happy Yappy Hour at rocky Mountain Grill Patio/Waterside District: Every third Wednesday, in partnership with Getem Pest Services, enjoy pup-cakes from Carolina Cupcakery, and the Norfolk Animal Care Center will be on site with adoptable dogs for an extra happy, yappy hour. See the full information here: https://watersidedistrict.com/events/20220420yappy-hour
Sunday September 18, 2022 – NSPCA Salty Dog Beach Walk at Cova Brewing: Make sure to go by Cova Brewing Company between 10:30a-3:00p to check out all the vendors and adoptable animals! There will be several food trucks to choose from and music from 97.3 The Eagle as well! We are thankful to our community partner, the NSPCA, for inviting us to join in the fun!! We will be in attendance with adoptable dogs, as well as selling merch and recruiting volunteers and fosters. See the full information here: https://norfolkspca.com/saltydog/
Saturday September 17, 2022 – Neighborhood Expo at Northside Park: The annual Norfolk Neighborhood Expo is all about celebrating Norfolk's diverse and unique neighborhoods and the residents that make them so special. This event is usually held the third Saturday in September which coincides with National Neighborhood Day. The Expo features exhibitors from the City of Norfolk and partner agencies, civic leagues and community groups, along with food, activities, music, entertainment, and the Annual Community U.P.L.I.F.T. Awards. NACC will be in attendance with adoptable shelter animals, recruiting for volunteers and fosters, and giving out information about our programs and services offered, as well as a pet pantry giving away free pet food and supplies. See the full information here: https://www.norfolk.gov/expo
Sunday August 28, 2022 – “Sunflower Music Festival-Bands Barks and Brews” at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens: During the event there will be craft beer from a local brewery being sold, live music, vendors, and so much more. NACC shelter animals & foster dogs will be in attendance for adoption, as well as NACC alumni to meet & greet with. See the full information here: https://norfolkbotanicalgarden.org/
Saturday July 16, 2022 – “Tales for Tails Storytime Event” at the Norfolk Animal Care Center: NACC & REACH/The Big Free Bookstore has partnered up for the second Storytime event. Bring your kids by for a circle time story read by a BFBS staff member while NACC alumni dogs run around and interact with guests. Afterwards don’t forget to take home your bag with a free book and so much more! See the full information here: www.norfolk.gov/nacc or email volunteerNACC@Norfolk.gov
Saturday July 9, 2022 – “Kreature’s Bucket List Birthday Bash” at Elation brewing: Join the ‘Friends of Norfolk Animal Care Center’ for a Senior dog adoption and fundraiser event to celebrate Kreature! Kreature is an 11 year old English Bulldog and alumni of the Norfolk Animal Care Center. He is a shining example of how much senior dogs have to offer. Kreature was recently diagnosed with cancer and as part of his bucket list he wants to help other senior dogs find their forever homes! NACC shelter animals & foster dogs will be in attendance for adoption, as well as senior dogs available for adoption from rescues, and local vendors! See the full information here: https://fb.me/e/3sWqNoHEf
Saturday June 25, 2022 – “Be U in 22” PrideFest 2022 at Town Point Park: PrideFest combines entertainment, vendors, and fun activities for all ages. PrideFest attracts thousands of visitors and brings together local residents, families, and businesses to unite the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) and allied communities in support of inclusion, dignity and equality of all people. We will be selling our NACC pride apparel (ALL the proceeds directly benefit our animals!) See the full information here: www.hamptonroadspride.org