Arizona Diamondbacks go for a walk with PetSmart

Major League Baseball franchise the Arizona Diamondbacks has entered into a partnership with Phoenix-headquartered pet supplies company PetSmart, under which the two parties will team up to develop a dog-friendly section at the club’s Chase Field ballpark.

The PetSmart Patio will be open for each of the Diamondbacks’ 13 Sunday-afternoon home games during the 2016 MLB season. The facility will be located along the main concourse at Chase Field, behind the left-centre field wall.

PetSmart Park, a baseball-themed play area, will also be built directly behind the PetSmart Patio. The initiative, which the club has dubbed the ‘Dog Days of Summer’, will also give fans the opportunity to adopt a dog, while a ‘Most Valuable Pup’ will be named at each game.

Eran Cohen, chief customer experience officer at PetSmart, said: “We are seeing more and more establishments open up their facilities to pets – whether it's coffee shops, retail stores, hotels or restaurants. PetSmart's home office is based right here in Phoenix, and we are thrilled to partner with the D-backs, our hometown team, on this first-ever ballpark experience with a season-long, dedicated space so fans can enjoy a Sunday ball game with their best friends or even expand their families through pet adoption.”

The initiative begins with the Diamondbacks’ home game against the Chicago Cubs on April 10.