Dog lovers, give a round of a-paws: the Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade is back on after being canceled indefinitely last week.

The beloved annual event will return for its 33rd year from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 21, thanks to help from Connecticut-based dog wellness startup Get Joy, organizers said in a news release Wednesday.

What You Need To Know

  • The annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade is back on with the help of a Connecticut-based dog wellness company

  • The parade will take place on Avenue B from East 6th Street to East 14th Street, with staging areas set up at East 7th Street, between Avenues A and B, and inside Tompkins Square Park

  • Get Joy's founder and CEO Tom Arrix and the company’s veterinary advisor, Dr. Brett Levitzke, will join this year’s lineup of judges for the costume contest

The company offered to help fund the parade after it was called off “for the foreseeable future” last Thursday, with organizers citing permitting complications, ongoing construction work inside the park and rising costs as reasons for the cancellation.

"We are beyond thrilled to announce that the 2023 Halloween Dog Parade is back on,” parade organizer Joseph Borduin said in a statement. “This wouldn’t have been possible without the cooperation of Councilwoman Carlina Rivera, Mayor Eric Adams, city agencies, the NYPD, and with the generous support of Get Joy.”

The parade will take place on Avenue B from East 6th Street to East 14th Street, with staging areas set up at East 7th Street, between Avenues A and B, and inside Tompkins Square Park, Rivera said. There will also be an area set up across from the route at Avenue B and East 7th Street to provide attendees with an array of activities, services and sample selections.

Get Joy's founder and CEO Tom Arrix and the company’s veterinary advisor, Dr. Brett Levitzke, will join this year’s lineup of judges for the costume contest, with the company providing prizes for winners in various categories, according to the news release.

“Any time a dog’s joy is threatened we want to help because, like humans, a dog’s total wellness is as much about the health of their spirit as their mind and body. This parade is all about dogs finding joy by spending time with their families and other dogs in their community,” Arrix said in a statement.

“Additionally, being able to step in to support the dog run that enables daily exercise and socialization for dogs makes complete sense as we are dedicated to helping dogs and families live their best lives together,” he added.