Nature's Variety and independent retailers will host dog ice cream socials in July as part of "National Ice Cream Month."

Nature's Variety will provide its SweetSpots frozen dessert product for dogs to nearly 60 different "World's Largest Dog Ice Cream Social" events taking place July 17-18. For every cup of the product consumed at the ice cream social events, Nature's Variety will make a donation to a local pet shelter or adoption agency.

In addition, Nature's Variety partnered with The Bark magazine to host the "Sweet Licks" contest. The contest encourages dog owners from across the country to submit photos or videos of their dogs and the SweetSpots product. Everyone who enters will receive a discount coupon to purchase SweetSpots, and the winner will receive a free, one year supply. The contest takes place on the magazine's website and runs throughout July.