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Welcome to The Friends of Schuylkill River Park Dog Owners' Association.

Some Updates:

Information:

Dog-Related Services:

Dog Parks:




K9 Grass Demo Updated: 3/16/2010

The sample of K9 Grass has been installed in the large dog run. Let us know what you think about it. For more about this product check out http://www.k9grass.com/


Operation "Leash 'Em Up" Updated: 12/18/2009

If you are a frequent visitor to Schuylkill River Park, you may have noticed that there has been an increase in the number of off-leash dogs running outside of the Dog Run in the park, specifically in the grassy bowl area in the center of the park. These off-leash dogs and their owners have unknowingly created a great deal of friction among other park stakeholders. As a result, Friends of Schuylkill River Park (FSRP) has received numerous emails and letters with complaints regarding the situation. The fact that one of the best dog runs in the city is nearby but going underutilized by these off-leash dogs has only served to heighten the aggravation. In response to this public outcry, FSRP is undertaking an educational initiative, code named Operation "Leash 'Em Up". This program is designed to increase awareness of the issues and challenges facing us all in this situation and to take steps to educate people on how to be more considerate park users. If you are a dog owner, please take a few moments to read the following comments and consider your own behavior and how it may impact your fellow park users.

Some people are afraid of dogs - Many times we hear people explain that their dog is perfectly friendly when we ask them to leash up their pet. Your dog may well be perfectly friendly. However, an off-leash dog running up to a person that is afraid of dogs can be terrifying, regardless of whether the dog is harmless or not.

Dogs can be unpredictable - Both children & adults have been knocked to the ground, sometimes with injuries, and had food snatched away by rambunctious dogs in the park. Additionally, "friendly" off-leash dogs have run up to other leashed dogs and started fights with them as well as disrupted sunbathers & picnickers. Also keep in mind that the leashed dog that your dog runs up to may not be "friendly" and may react aggressively to your off-leash dog.

Dogs have instinctual chasing & hunting behaviors - When presented with a jogger or a bike rider in the park, many off-leash dogs will often give chase, which is intimidating and dangerous to the safety of the runner/biker. On some occasions, the dogs have run into the surrounding streets and have been hit by cars. Can you imagine how upsetting it would be to accidentally run over someone's beloved pet because they were off leash?

Off leash dogs at play contribute to destruction of grassy areas - The off-leash dogs playing in the central bowl area of the park in damp conditions are one of the main contributors to the destruction of the grass in that area, creating a mud hole when it rains and an unsightly dirt patch when it is dry. This area, often utilized for sunbathing, badminton, Frisbee, football games and picnicking during the spring/summer/fall months, is consequently rendered less useful for these activities as a result.

It is against the law to have an unleashed dog outside of the Dog Run - All dogs are required to be on leash at all times in all areas of the City of Philadelphia, unless otherwise indicated. If your dog is off-leash, you are breaking the law and could be ticketed if a Park Ranger witnesses your infraction. Please bring your pet into the "Best of Philly" Schuylkill River Park Dog Run where they can run freely and you won't be breaking the law. Friends of Schuylkill River Park will be posting signs in the park reminding dog owners to leash up their pets in consideration of their fellow park users. Members of the SRP Dog Owners Association will also be talking with friends and neighbors making them aware of the issues and asking for their compliance. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions in this regard, please send us an email. As city dwellers, it is incumbent upon us to share our limited public space with our neighbors in a considerate and thoughtful manner. Please do your part to be considerate of your fellow Philadelphians, both two and four footed, and make sure you "Leash 'Em Up" in Schuylkill River Park when you are outside of the Dog Run. Thank you in advance for your attention to and compliance with our request.

Problems should be reported to the Fairmount Park Rangers at 215-685-0144.


Biodegradable bag dispensers installed inside the big dog run and on the outside fence to the small dog area Posted: 11/24/2009

Bag dispenser

Thanks to Russell Meddin for obtaining these dispensers and bags and to Carolyn Duffy for installing them.


Status of the Dog Run Water Fountain: ON Posted: 4/13/2010


Thank you to our Friends of Schuylkill River Park Fall Festival Vendors Updated: 10/29/2009

Participants included:

Dog related items in our raffle prizes currently include: Three dog walks or pet sits from Fido's World in Philly. Dog walks from PhilaPets. Handmade leash and collar from Girl.Bike.Dog. Donation from Lucky Dog Treats. Gift basket from Pooch's Choice. Gift certificate from Rittenhouse Pet Supply. Other silent auction and raffle items are listed on http://fsrp.org/

Due to rain delays and multiple rescheduling dates, the Microchipping van and the obstacle course were not able to attend. Let's hope for better luck with the weather next year.


Dominic Dallago, VMD will give presentations on interesting dog related topics. Updated: 4/13/2010

His previous discussions, on August 25th and August 30th were on Gastrointestinal Distress.

Canine arthritis was discussed on September 22. 2009


Results of Dog Park Survey. Posted: 8/5/2009

Here are the responses to the Dog Community Survey of June 2009.

Tally of responses pdf symbol Tally[PDF]

Open question responses:

excel symbol Question 9 [XLS]: What do you like about bringing your dog to the Schuylkill River Park?

excel symbol Question 10[XLS]: What do you dislike about bringing your do to the Schuylkill River Park?

excel symbol Question 11 [XLS]: What changes/improvements if any would you like to see?

excel symbol Question 14[XLS]: It will cost $90,000+ for the K9 grass. Would you donate? Additional comments on K9 Grass

excel symbol Question 19[XLS]: Additional comments


Join us on FACEBOOK. Posted: 7/5/2009

There is now a facebook site for The Schuylkill River Park Dog Owners' Association. Join now and have online discussions, a place to share your dog photos and talk with other dog owners and get activity update on the Dog Run.

Visit us at The Friends of the Schuylkill River Park Dog Owners' Association.


New website for the 9th District police station.Posted: 7/2/2009

http://philapolice9th.weebly.com/

This Website is meant to be an up to date informational site for the residents and businesses located within the 9th Police District in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.


Incident Report Form Posted: 2/12/2006

Download the incident report form. If you are at the park and involved in an incident, please fill out this form and send it to info@phillyfido.net. Please provide as much information as possible.


Owners Need To Clean Up After Their Dogs

We are asking people to please pick up after their dogs at the dog run (and in the park itself). Besides the cleanliness issues, it is the law. There are spare plastic bags in containers, both in the Large and Small dog section of the park for your convenience. Please restock these bags yourself when you can.


Aggressive Dog Policy

Due to problems with aggressive dogs in the Run, we have an Aggressive Dog Policy to address these concerns. Every user of the Dog Run will be held to this policy and should be aware of it.


Dog Licensing Policy

All dogs must have a current Philadelphia Department of Public Health Dog License (Liberty Bell Tag) to be permitted into Schuylkill River Park Dog Run. We are trying to find a way to create a community of caring and law-abiding owners: licensing is an important first step. It's easy to get a license, call (215) 683-LOST(5678) or go to the PetData Licensing service for the City of Philadelphia to get information and download a form. Forms for dog licensing can also be found at the park in the mail box attached to the bulletin board.



Dog-Related Services

Information presented on this website is considered public information, it does not imply recommendation or endorsement by Friends of Schuylkill River Park or the Dog Owners' Association.


Philadelphia Pet Sitters/Dog Walkers


Trainers and Behaviorists


Boarding Kennels


Grooming


Veterinarians


Pet Photographers


Dog-friendly Apartment Buildings, Philadelphia

Here is a helpful site if you are looking for apartments in the City: http:/www.ApartmentRatings.com


Philadelphia Area Dog Parks


Dog Parks in New Jersey



E-Mail Us at Phillyfido.net!



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