Event Day Rules
At WagFest your pet will be exposed to small children, barking dogs, people speaking loudly on microphones, loud music, crowds clapping and attendees cheering. You know your pet best, so please use your best judgment to make sure that your pet will enjoy WagFest just as much as you will. If you choose to leave your pet at home don’t worry there’s lots of puppy love to be had from the animals up for adoption.
PAWS’s goal for WagFest: A Celebration of All Things Canine is just that, to celebrate all the reasons we love our dogs so much. For order for everyone and every dog to have a great day, we have a few rules to make it safe for everyone:
WagFest Rules for Pet Owners:
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Dogs must be spayed/neutered.
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Dogs must be good with children.
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Dogs must be current on all vaccines.
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Dogs must be kept on leash at all times.
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Please be responsible and pick up after your pet.
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No retractable leashes please - Leashes should be 6' or less.
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Please do not bring puppies who have not completed all their shots.
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Dogs must be well-behaved and non-aggressive with people and other dogs.
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Pet owners must be 18 years or older. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Important tips to consider at WagFest:
If you are running, jogging or walking in the Go Dog Go 5K! Fun Run with your dog please make sure your dog can is fit enough for the 5K route around the park. If you have a pet breed with you that can’t tolerate this kind of exertion, (for example, English Bulldogs), please consider doing the shorter route.
At WagFest, please respect the space of other dogs, people and children.
If your dog has loose stool and/or discharge from the nose, is coughing or sneezing please keep him home.
Keep your dog hydrated! Pet water stations will be available throughout the course and WagFest site. These are communal bowls, so if you have a puppy or elderly pet, please keep it safe and bring a travel or disposable bowl for their use.
Be protective of your small or tiny dog. There will be many large dogs at WagFest that some small pets may feel overwhelmed. Please be prepared to carry your dog or put it in a stroller to keep it safe.
Parents please educate your child on how to approach a dog. While we have a number of professional dog trainers and volunteers who are always carefully watching the crowds and pets to ensure everyone stays safe, it only takes a second for a dog bite to occur. Please review safe dog greeting behaviors with your children before attending WagFest and the Go Dog Go 5K! Fun Run. Remind your child to always ask the owner’s permission to pet an animal, before approaching the animal. Then allow the calm pet to sniff their hands and then they should gently pet the animal’s chest, chin or back (not the top of its head), speaking calmly and quietly to the pet. Children should never “stare down” a dog, jump on it, grab it from behind or scream at it. If a dog is hyper and won’t sit for the owner, walk away and don’t allow your child to pet the dog. Sometimes the most well behaved pets can be startled, especially if they are already keyed up being at such an exciting event.
If you are coming to WagFest to adopt a dog at Adoption Alley, CONGRATULATIONS! You may want to either bring a crate or some sort of car restraint with you. We will not have boxes or crates to borrow.
Let's Have a Blast!
Register here for the Go Dog Go 5K!
Fun Run
