Aiken park opens to pet owners, pups 12/29/2009 8:11 PM
By HALEY HUGHES Staff writer
Aiken's dog park is open to the public though the formal ribbon-cutting ceremony and pet fair have been postponed until next year.
Already, dogs and their owners have been taking advantage of the park's fenced-in terrain and shallow splash pool and about a dozen people have purchased the dog park membership tags, which are required to be worn by all canines when they visit the park.
"The park is officially open," said Gary Willoughby, executive director of the Aiken SPCA. "The pool is up and running, the City of Aiken has put out the trash cans and benches, but it's still pretty muddy because it's been raining so much."
Inclement weather, including heavy rains and cold temperatures, is what pushed back the grand opening ceremony and pet fair, which was scheduled to happen earlier this month.
The Aiken SPCA Board of Directors is looking at March for the event, when the weather might be more suitable. The pet fair will also be held at the time of the grand opening ceremony.
The Aiken Dog Park is a joint project between City of Aiken and Aiken SPCA. It is located at 199 Willow Run Road, behind the Willow Run Industrial Park.
The park is open seven days a week from sunrise until sundown.
Both big and small dogs are welcome. The facility has a specific area for large dogs and an area for smaller dogs. It also includes a common area where any dog can roam free.
Though the Aiken Dog Park is open to all dogs and their owners, regardless of residency, it is advised that small children not enter the park.
"That's very typical for any dog park. Any time you have 20, 30, 40 large dogs running around, it can be very excitable for very young children," Willoughby said. "We are looking at this from a safety standpoint."
It is recommended that children younger than 16 be accompanied by an adult and that children should not be allowed to approach a strange dog without the owner's presence and approval.
Not all dogs are child friendly, and even friendly dogs can knock a child down.
Pet owners are required to register their dogs with the SPCA or the City of Aiken Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism before they are able to bring them to the facility.
Registration fees are as follows: sterile animal with microchip, free; sterile animal not microchipped, $15; fertile animal with microchip, $80; and fertile animal without a microchip, $100. Fees are capped at $200 for two to five pets and $300 for six or more pets. Additional fees might apply to pet owners who have more than six pets.
Pet registration in the City is required only one time.
As required by state law, all pets must have current rabies vaccinations. Owners must provide rabies documents or rabies tag information before registration.
If the pet has a microchip, the microchip number must be provided at the time of registration.
City residents can register their pets at the Public Safety Headquarters Records Department, 251 Laurens St. N.W., Monday through Friday during normal business hours.
Pet owners interested in using the park and purchasing the yearly $10 dog park membership tag should call the SPCA at 648-6863.
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