Date: March 30th, 2010

Dear Somerville Dog Owners and Friends of Somerville Dogs,

We're looking forward to great weather for an event-full Spring! Here's what's coming up in just the next few weeks:

+ $10 Rabies Shots

Bring your cats (in carriers, please) and dogs (on leash, please) to the Somerville Department of Public Works Highway Garage (1 Franey Road), for rabies shots for only $10, Saturday morning, April 3, 2010. Dog licences will also be available: the cost of a 2010 dog license is $12 for animals that have been spayed or neutered (bring proof of spay/neuter); $20 for intact animals. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health requires that all cats and dogs six months old and older to be vaccinated against rabies. Dogs six months old and older must be licensed

+ Dog-Walking Groups

Two propsective dog-walking groups are forming: One on the Community Path and the other at Torbert MacDonald Park, located just across the Mystic River at the state police barracks at the intersection of Route 28 (Fellsway) and Route 16 (Mystic Valley Parkway). There is a parking lot is accessible from Mystic Valley Parkway. See below for more information and to join these groups.

For group dog walking your dog should be leashed (no retractable leads) and licensed and should enjoy the company of other dogs. Please be respectful of other people using sidewalks and parks and allow clearance for others to pass and Leave No Pile Behind ()!

If you are interested in group dog walking please contact me this week and provide the following information:

your dog's name (or dogs' names) and breed/s
your preferred day and time to walk your dog(s)
* where you would like to meet others for a dog walk (e.g. Community Path, Torbert MacDonald Park, or another location of your choice. Please include details about the proposed meet-up location such as street address or intersection.)

+ Off-Leash Recreation in West Somerville

Please mark you calendar for the next Parks and Open Space meeting on April 5 at 7:00 at City Hall on the second floor.

On March 22, the Board of Aldermen Parks and Open Space Committee approved Chairwoman Gewirtz's motion that the Office For Strategic Planing and and Community Development prepare a cost estimate for creating a dog park at Dilboy Field and report on same at the next meeting of the committee, which is scheduled for April 5 at 7:00 PM. The Committee also approved a motion by Alderman Heuston that the Administration research federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) eligible areas in West Somerville, in the vicinity of the North Street housing complex adjacent to Dilboy Stadium. The minutes from the Parks and Open Space Meeting on March 22 are available online from the City of Somerville (http://www.somervillema.gov/CoS_Content/documents/minutes/Committee%20Report%20-%20Parks%20-%203-22-10.pdf).

Cheers,
Michele
with Strummer (standard poodle)

Michele Biscoe
Chairperson
Somerville Dog Owners Group (som|dog)
www.somdog.org

The Somerville Dog Owners Group promotes responsible dog ownership, safe and legal options for off-leash recreation, and open space for all in Somerville, MA