(Reader alert – if you’re allergic to puns, don’t read on. We’ve made generous and shameless use of many howl-arious puns in this blog post!)
Dog-gone-it – sometimes our canine friends have a ruff life. Especially when their human owners go on a fun vacation, and Fido gets left behind. Howl can we do that to them?
Well, the National Park Service believes that dogs deserve a round of a-paws. That’s why dozens of parks offer our four-legged friends special programs, tasty treats, and fun adventures when they visit with their human owners. It’s all part of the NPS B.A.R.K. Ranger program, a project of the agency’s Healthy People Healthy Parks Initiative.
What does B.A.R.K. stand for? Glad you asked, since there are a few simple rules (none of them too far-fetched) that pet owners should follow when they visit a park:
- Bag your pet’s waste
- Always leash your pet
- Respect wildlife
- Know where you can go
B.A.R.K. Ranger programs vary from park to park and are tailored to each site’s unique setting. Some parks offer a walk with a ranger program. Some have a pledge that owners take with their pets. Most sites adopt an honor system that assumes owners will follow the B.A.R.K. principles on their visit. (Well, anything is paw-sible…)
In return for abiding by the B.A.R.K. rules, pets can earn a variety of rewards. At Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, dogs who take the pledge earn a special bandana (looks very fetching) and a signed certificate.
Dogs who attend one of the many annual B.A.R.K. Ranger events at Gateway Arch National Park can create special artwork or enjoy a cup of Puppuccino during their visit. Check out the upcoming B.A.R.K. events at the Arch in July, September, and October. Your pooch will be hounding you to attend!
If you and your dog visit a park that doesn’t offer special rewards, you can still fetch a special B.A.R.K. Ranger collar tag. Try the park’s gift shop, or purchase one at The Arch Store or online . Your pup will go mutts about the new jewelry!
But what about cats, you ask? Are they feline left out with all this attention on dogs, fur crying out loud? What a cat-astrophe! (Too much?)
Never fear, some national parks allow cats as long as they are leashed or restrained. One dedicated cat owner recently dressed his feline friend for an outing at Gateway Arch National Park. Hiss-terical!
And another NPS site even inaugurated a M.E.O.W. Ranger program, complete with a special collar tag for participating kitties.
No matter which furry friend you want to bring to a national park site, it’s always smart to check before you visit to learn about any restrictions and rules that might apply. Here’s wishing you and your companions a pawsitive park experience!
JNPA Blog 