First P.U.P.P.Y event of the summer to be held this weekend at Auburn Bay off-leash area

We are hosting P.U.P.P.Y. (Pick Up Pooch's Poo Yourself) events throughout the spring and summer, beginning this Saturday, April 30 at 11 a.m. in Auburn Bay’s off-leash area.

P.U.P.P.Y. experts will share information about dog waste, proper disposal methods and The City’s Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw. Supplies will also be available for anyone wanting to pitch in and pick up.

With over 120,000 dogs in the city, the amount of pet waste in our parks and off-leash areas can quickly add up if owners aren’t picking up after their pets. Help keep our city pet-waste free. Always carry pet waste bags with you when walking your dog (or someone else’s) and pick up and properly dispose of your dog’s waste as soon as possible.

Events run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Join us at a P.U.P.P.Y. event near you:

April 30 - Auburn Bay off-leash Area, 55 Auburn Bay Dr. S.E.

May 14 - Taradale off-leash area, 64 Ave. & Tarington Rd. N.E.

May 28 - Sue Higgins Park

June 4 - River Park

June 11 - Bowmont Park off-leash area, 5550 85 St. N.W.

June 18 - Nose Hill (Edgemont parking lot), Edgemont Blvd. and Shaganappi Tr. N.W.

July 23 - Edworthy Park off-leash area, 5539 Edworthy St. S.W.

July 30 - Nose Hill (Egdemont parking lot), Edgemont Blvd. and Shaganappi Tr. N.W.

August 6 - Sue Higgins Park

August 13 - Connaught Park off-leash area, 11 St. and 14 Ave. S.W.

August 20 - Braeside off-leash area, 14 St. & 110 Ave. S.W.

September 10 - Sandy Beach

September 17 - Bowmont Park off-leash area, 5550 85 St. N.W.

September 24 - Sue Higgins Park

October 15 - Dover off-leash area, 150 Gosling Way S.E.

October 22 - Auburn Bay off-leash area, 55 Auburn Bay Dr. S.E.

Just the facts - 5 things you should know

Pet waste left in our outdoor spaces isn’t just awful to look at, it’s dangerous. Here are five facts you may not know about doggy doo-doo:

1. It’s crawling with E. coli and other harmful bacteria, like salmonella, that can cause serious illness in humans.
2.  It often contains roundworm larvae which, if ingested by humans or pets, can lead to brain, eye and other organ damage.
3. It’s never a good fertilizer. Its high-nutrient content is toxic to lawns and will create “hot spots” causing the grass to burn and discolour.
4.  It attracts mice, coyotes and other wildlife into our parks and off-leash areas (they consider it a delicious snack).
5. It doesn’t absorb into the soil, so the risk of spreading its harmful effects can linger for years.

The dangers aren’t just outdoors. When you consider all the ways dog waste can be transmitted into your home – shoes, pets, strollers, etc. – you realize how easily you and your loved ones could be affected.

Visit calgary.ca/PUPPY for more information.

Submitted by Regan Wetsch, Parks

Mingle with the best working dogs in Alberta

Come down to Bowmont Off-Leash Park between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Sept. 19 and take part in a Working Dogs Day. This fun, family event gives you a chance to meet working dogs from around the province while learning more about responsible pet ownership

Bring your own dog down and treat them to free nail trimming and learn some tips and tricks from our on-site dog behaviour and pet first aid specialists and the City’s P.U.P.P.Y team. Attendees will also be treated to agility, flyball and discus demonstrations.

Demonstrations and dog selfies

Working Dogs Day will feature demonstrations from working dogs and their handlers from the Calgary Police Service, Calgary Fire Department, Animal & Bylaw Services, Calgary Search & Rescue Association, PADS Calgary (Pacific Assistance Dogs Society), PALS (Pet Access League Society), Canada Border Services Agency, CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind), Water Inspection Sniffer Dogs and RCMP Police Dog Services. In between demonstrations, bring your camera down and have your photo taken with the different service dogs and their handlers.

Powered by volunteers

Working Dogs Day is part of our Off-Leash Ambassador program which was launched in 2013. The program features volunteers who promote the Responsible Pet Ownership bylaw and encourage positive pet interactions and safety in our off-leash parks. This is accomplished through education, demonstrations and discussions led by the ambassadors who act as community liaisons and positive role models in off-leash areas. 

More information at http://calgary.ca/animalservices. Or join our event on Facebook.

P.U.P.P.Y. program - Help make our parks #1 by picking up #2!

With over 100,000 dogs in Calgary, pet waste in our parks can quickly add up. We invite you to join experts in City parks across Calgary to learn more about the need to pick up after your pets.

Volunteers and City staff at a PUPPY event last year.

The P.U.P.P.Y. (Pick Up Pooch’s Poo Yourself) program will be on hand at several City parks this spring and summer, beginning April 25 at Sue Higgins Park.

Learn about a variety of pet-related topics and participate in interpretive programs led by City volunteers. Supplies will also be on hand for anyone wanting to help clean up the park. A complete list of locations and dates is available on The City’s P.U.P.P.Y. page.

Picking up your dog’s waste is not just about responsible pet ownership - it’s about keeping our parks and off-leash areas safe. Dog waste is not only an attractive snack for coyotes, it often contains parasites like E. Coli and other bacteria, which can cause serious illness in humans. Dog waste doesn’t wash away or disappear, so the risk of spreading its harmful effects can linger for years!

Thankfully, there is a simple solution. Always carry pet waste baggies with you when walking your dog, and pick up and dispose of your pet’s waste as soon as possible.

Check out The City’s website for more information on responsible pet ownership and where to find the nearest off-leash park for you and your pooch.

Submitted by Heather Hastie, Parks