Girl Scouts of the USA will begin selling the organization's first-ever cookies for dogs in January. Developed in partnership with Bark, a New York-based retailer of dog treats and toys, the blueberry muffin-flavored dog cookies are named Patch Pals and will be available exclusively online.
Also new to the Girl Scout cookie lineup for January is Sparkables, an allergy-friendly option. These crunchy oatmeal cookies, featuring chocolate chips and colored sprinkles, were created with Partake Foods, a New Jersey-based company. According to the Girl Scouts, Sparkables are produced in a facility designed to avoid nine major allergens, including dairy, eggs, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, and sesame. Like the dog cookies, Sparkables will also be sold online only.
The introduction of Patch Pals and Sparkables is inspired by scouts who aimed to increase participation in the cookie program by catering to both pets and individuals with dietary restrictions. The Girl Scouts have a long history of selling cookies as a troop fundraiser, with the practice dating back to 1917. The organization currently sells approximately 200 million cookies annually.
While specific sales dates can vary by local troops, the general Girl Scout cookie season typically runs from January through April. Patch Pals and Sparkables will be sold alongside traditional popular flavors such as Thin Mints, Samoas, and Tagalongs.