Mutts and movies at the mall

This mall is going to the dogs.

The Outlet Collection at Niagara is holding a free outdoor movie series starting Thursday that welcomes well-behaved canines with their people.

The Fido-friendly movie series is part of a larger effort to make shoppers aware leashed dogs are allowed in the common areas of the mall and in most stores.

“We’ve always had a pet policy, but really in the last year we’ve decided to start promoting it a bit more,” said Carly Rupcic, the Niagara-on-the-Lake mall’s marketing and tourism manager. That’s meant adding signs stating the outdoor shopping centre is pet friendly and posting the policy on its website with rules and regulations.

Stickers have also been added to the storefronts of about 80 retailers that allow dogs inside. With awareness of the policy, the mall hopes to never find a dog left in hot car.

“It’s huge for us that we’re able to allow that,” Rupcic said. “There’s really no excuse.”

Pet owners have been taking advantage of the dog friendly policy. Rupcic said at any given time there are always a couple of dogs walking through the centre.

“We see dogs all the time, especially on the weekends and earlier in the day,” she said. “There’s some whose owners take them for walks on a regular basis in the mall.”

The outdoor movie series kicks off July 19 with Disney’s “Bolt.” Movie-goers can bring blankets, chairs and their dogs if they want, and set up as early as 7:30 p.m. in the grass courtyard outside Saks off 5th. Movies will start at sunset.

Admission is free but donations are welcomed for the Lincoln County Humane Society.

Movies will continue with Finding Dory on Aug. 9 and Clueless on Sept. 7. More information and rain dates can be found at outletcollectionatniagara.com.