There have been a few reports of dogs getting sick from visiting the Gellatley Bay dog park. There has been at least one who was poisoned and apparently about 2 Labs who died after leaving the park.

Update 06/25/09: The rumours of dogs being sick at Cedar Creek Park are false. The story only involves dogs that have visited the Gellatley Bay dog park.

Doggytopia, is presenting the 1st Annual "Mardi Dogs" event to be held Sunday, August 16th/09 from 10-4. Our goal is to raise $20,000.00 towards the design and building of a public water park for dogs.

"Mardi Dogs" is basically a "Mardi Gras" for dogs. There will be 50 vendors promoting and selling their goods and services. People and their dogs will be encouraged to dance to a live band and participate in a parade around the event grounds, while they browse vendor tables.

We have 50 street vendor opportunities, so if you are a vendor and are interested in a table, please contact us: Brenda at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , Kate at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit "Mardi Dogs" website: www.mardidogs.ca. We also need volunteers, so if you are interested, please contact us!

Also, we have entered a contest sponsored by 'The Juice' where they are giving away $100,000 but we need your vote to win. So go to www.1039thejuice.com and click on "The Juicy Give" to vote. If we win the money will go toward Kelowna's first outdoor public water park!

Event Coordinators
Brenda’s cell: 250-317-4557
Kate’s cell: 250-870-4571

**********************
Note from OK Dog:
If you agree with this, we encourage you to write a letter to city hall.
**********************

Distances to off-leash dog parks.

City Hall to Cedar Creek Park            - 12 Kilometers
                Ellison Dog Park               - 16 Kilometers
                Enterprise Dog Park          - 5.5 Kilometers
                Mission Creek Dog Park   - 7.2 Kilometers
                Glenmore Dog Park           - 11.6 Kilometers

99% of the Kelowna population do not live within walking distance of an off leash dog park, but there are 249 parks in Kelowna. The current bylaws are written to the benefit of the non-dog owners, not to benefit dogs or pet owners.

To be a owner of a dog that needs to run, Kelowna requires that the pet owner owns a vehicle and has a drivers license. That in itself is discriminatory. Buses and taxis do not allow dogs. Pet owners are required to drive to an off-leash park at extra unnecessary personal and environmental cost.

The solution would be to open up larger local parks in the off season. From September until March many of these parks are not used. During the winter months the same parks are barren and snow covered. Open up larger parks to morning use (prior to 8am) and evening use. (after 8 pm).

Dogs should not be allowed into any park where a sports activity or such is taking place. Owners should be required pick up after their dogs or be fined.

Kelowna City Council, it's time to make Kelowna user friendly to all.

Give dog owners, dogs and the environment a break.

S. Barber