News & Updates from the park

Winnipeg Dog Clubs Establish WINDOG

Posted by president@kilconaparkdogclub.ca / in News /

Winnipeg Network of Dog Owner Groups (WINDOG)

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

 

Monday, May 5 at 7pm

Winnipeg Public Library 1-1050 Henderson Hwy

Members of Brenda Leipsic, Kilcona, Little Mountain, and Maple Grove dogs clubs are invited to attend WINDOG’s first AGM.

WINDOG is a coalition of Winnipeg dog park clubs that advocates:

1. the establishment and maintenance of humane off-leash recreational opportunities
2. sound off-leash legislation, policies, and practices

WINDOG promotes responsible pet ownership & park stewardship.

Agenda

1. WINDOG’s 2014 goals and activities
2. Financial Report and 2014 Budget
3.  “I own a dog AND I vote!” campaign
4. Election of 2014/2015 Board of Directors
5. Motion to approve WINDOG by-laws (Click here for full document)
   
6. Motion to approve WINDOG membership fees (Click here for full document)

 

There’s no Poop Fairy!

Posted by president@kilconaparkdogclub.ca / in Information /

Recently there have been howls of protest over the ever-increasing amount of dog feces at the park. Some Kilcona dog owners have suggested that someone needs to do something about it. Several have written to me, hoping I might be that “someone”.

I’d like to share what KPDC will and won’t be doing about the problem but first…a reminder. On March 1 last year, filthy conditions in both the off-leash and on-leash areas, and dog owners’ complaints, prompted Kilcona Park Dog Club’s Board to hold an emergency park clean up. It was the first time a winter park clean-up had been necessary.

The Board called the emergency clean-up because we did not want to give the City any reason to shut down Kilcona’s off-leash area.We knew the City had the authority to close an off-leash area “where there is a consistent violation of the requirement to pick up feces”.

Volunteers spent the weekend picking up other people’s dog poop. A biting wind and bone-chilling temperatures made the job of chiselling unclaimed dog feces out of the ice extremely unpleasant!

Even more unpleasant was the fact that although many people were walking their dogs at Kilcona that weekend, they simply walked right by our volunteers. Less than a dozen dog owners cared enough to pitch in.

KPDC’s Directors, two realtors from Corporate Sponsor Royal Lepage, Rosemary Meacham, Toni Zacharias – who doesn’t even own a dog – and a couple of other dedicated club members were the only volunteers who helped out.

 

KPDC Directors Tanya Hirsch and Jeff Henry, and club members Lee-Ann and Toni Zacharias

 

Directors Wayne L’Esperance, Craig Handkamer and Jeff Henry organize the emergency clean-up

 

KPDC Emergency Park Clean-up Volunteer Rosemary Measham

In April, a pitiful turn out at the Annual Spring Clean-Up – once again KPDC Directors and a couple of club members – prompted the Board to rethink its role as Kilcona’s Poop Fairy. The Board decided last September’s fall clean-up would be the last one of the year. With so little support for the club’s stewardship activities we agreed not to hold a winter clean-up.

What KPDC Will Do To Address the Problem

The Board is fundraising and working with one of our corporate sponsors to purchase aluminum dog waste bag dispensers that will be installed along the trails. The sponsor has agreed to supply the bags on an ongoing basis if park staff keep the dispensers full.

The Board will  continue to sponsor spring and fall clean-ups BUT only if Kilcona dog owners pitch in. We don’t have a date for the spring clean-up. It will depend on the spring melt. The land needs to be dry and dog waste needs to be “pick-up-able.” Watch the website and Facebook for updates on the clean-up and please volunteer your time. A good turnout at the spring clean-up will ensure the club continues to host park stewardship events.

The Board will continue to promote picking up as part of its responsible pet ownership education initiates.

The Board will continue to encourage self-policing with programs like the “Number Two” Clue and “Second Bag” programs. Studies have shown that community self-policing is the only effective way to get people to clean up after their dogs. Until responsible Kilcona dog owners do that consistently, the irresponsible ones will continue to ignore the law.

Please be part of the solution. Bring a whistle to the park and blow it to alert distracted or irresponsible dog owners that they need to pick up. Bring extra bags and offer one to those in need. Use one of them to pick up an extra pile each time you visit the park.

For those of you who’ve asked how to report dog owners that don’t pick up, here are Winnipeg Animal Services instructions.

Call  311 and provide:

• Your name, address and phone number
• The address where the dog lives (311 confirms they’ll accept a vehicle license number)
• The date and time that you saw the dog defecating off its property
• A description of the dog

Animal Services investigates every complaint. Please note that the agency does not respond to anonymous complaints.

Donna Henry

President – Kilcona Park Dog Club

 

Indulge Your Dog and Save at the “Unkennel” – A KPDC Gold Sponsor

Posted by president@kilconaparkdogclub.ca / in Featured Blog Posts, Features, Information, News /

Indulge Your Dog at the “Unkennel” – A KPDC Gold Sponsor

 

KPDC members now enjoy savings at one of North America’s finest boarding facilities. Rated by the Travel Channel as one of the top five places to pamper your pet, Waldenway Canine and Kitty Camp is a cut above average.

 

It’s rural parkland setting, with five acres of breathtaking green space; picturesque swimming pond; sandy beach; and 12 grassy, well-treed exercise yards make Waldenway a doggy paradise.

 

Owner Rob Sarrasin says, “Waldenway is a Disneyland for dogs. It’s a vacation facility, so your dog has fun while you’re having fun. We want to make your pet’s stay is the best holiday they’ve ever had and we work hard to make sure the experience is positive and stress-free every time.”

 

There’s a great family vibe at Waldenway. Rob (second row right) began working there when he was just thirteen and at twenty-one he bought the business. Waldenway’s an amazing place, reflecting Sarrasin’s hard work, dedication and love of animals.

 

At Waldenway, the days are filled with opportunities for campers to run, sniff, socialize and explore. Dogs play and stretch their legs in the camp’s spacious exercise yards four times a day at no additional cost.

Your dog can go for scheduled walks; play fetch or swim in Waldenway’s “Golden Pond”; and go for canoe rides. One-on-one play-times are available.

 

 

 Dogs that are sociable and friendly can be matched with suitable pals for play dates.

Your dog will thank you for scheduling a relaxing spa day with Waldenway’s certified groomers. “Pampered Pet” services include bathing, clipping, nail trim and paw tidy up. They’ll even brush your dog’s teeth.

 

Waldenway’s immaculate new canine bunkhouse is state of the art. Every camper enjoys his own personal air-conditioned cabin.  Heated ceramic floors keep cabins warm and cozy in winter.

Each unit is equipped with a comfy custom-made Petz Paradize cot; clean, dry bedding; soothing music; and soft night lights. A heat recovery ventilation system delivers a steady flow of fresh country air, renewing the air in the facility every hour.

 

Every camper has access to a private outdoor run so they choose when they want a bathroom break, exercise, or just a change of scenery. Outdoor runs are sheltered so guests stay clean and dry if it rains or snows.

Waldenway’s team of experienced, animal care specialists are certified by St John’s Ambulance in pet first aid. Trained handlers, walkers and groomers are equipped to respond safely and efficiently to a sick or injured guest. And if your dog’s on insulin, needs eye drops, heartworm pills or other medication, staff will administer it exactly the way you do at home at no additional cost.

Waldenway offers customized care. If your dog has a special diet, nothing will change. Food will be served up just the way he or she likes it. You can send a container of dog food with feeding instructions or pre-package individual meals.

 

And meal times and feeding schedules won’t change either. If you fill your pal’s bowl in the morning and he nibbles all day – Waldenway staff will do the same. If it’s two cups at breakfast and two cups at dinner with a spoonful of wet food mixed in, consider it done. Bowls are filled with fresh clean water twice a day.

 

There’s a fridge, freezer and microwave to help with special requests.

With a ratio of one staff member for every fifteen dogs, there’s no limit on cuddles at Waldenway! Camp councillors dish up love and affection all day long – belly rubs and hugs at treat time, and feeding and scratches behind the ear when they’re cleaning bunkhouses and freshening up water pails.

 

While you’re away, check Waldenway’s Facebook page where staff post regular updates about guests. Enjoy peace of mind knowing your pets are having fun, enjoying their own vacation.

 

Getting ready for a trip or just don’t have time? Let Waldenway’s pick-up and return shuttle service take care of you. The Pet Shuttle is outfitted with travel crates for your dog’s safety and comfort.

 

Waldenway is located just south of St. Anne’s at 33161 PR 210 W, a 30 minute drive from Winnipeg. They can be found on Google Maps by searching Waldenway.

GPS: N 49.67degrees, W -96.68degrees

No Easter Bunny? and other myths

Posted by Kilcona Park Dog Club / in News /

The city of Santa Cruz just launched an anti-dog poop campaign and started with West Cliff Drive where there are currently six of these lovely signs posted. They plan to put up to 30 all around Santa Cruz. They got the inspiration from a similar campaign by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office in Colorado.

Of course bacteria help decompose dog poop and might be considered a Poop Fairy of sort. However, as the sign says: dog poop takes much longer to biodegrade than wild animal poop and it’s a lot stinkier!

Member Savings at Ken-Del Kennels!

Posted by president@kilconaparkdogclub.ca / in Features, News /

Member Savings at Ken-Del Kennels!

Show your KPDC membership card and save on boarding at Ken-del Kennels, another great corporate sponsor!

Ken-del is a family-owned full-service boarding facility catering to all household pets. Kilcona dog owners will love its country setting and convenient location – just a five minute drive north of the park.

Like many KPDC sponsors, Ken-del’s owners, Nici and Troy Milton are club members who bring their own dogs Layla, Cainen and Tundra to Kilcona Dog Park.

 

Each of the thirty-five kennels in the main building is heated and air conditioned for year-round comfort. Most have attached outdoor runs. There are eight heated kennels with an indoor play area.

 

The Miltons say living on site allows them to give each dog personalized attention. They believe the effort staff put in to socializing their guests is what makes Ken-del special.

There are eight large outdoor exercise yards where off-leash dogs run and play together five to seven times a day, weather permitting. Dogs are grouped by size and temperament, play time is supervised and each playground is surrounded by a six foot fence for safety.

Ken-del tailors its services to your dog’s needs. If play isn’t enough to tire your high energy dog, on-leash walking services are available. Dogs that don’t play well with others get individual playtime with staff. Dogs that don’t want to be outdoors can play together in the spacious rubber-floored indoor play area.

Ken-Del Kennels offers full grooming services. Their certified groomer has years of experience with all breeds of dogs.

For every dog’s health and safety, Ken-del requires owners to provide current rabies, distemper, parvovirus, parainfluenza and bordetella vaccination certificates.

Check Ken-del’s Facebook page for great videos of happy dogs enjoying the facility.