Media Contact: John A. Stokes, (202) 673-2195 (DPR)

Today, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty was joined by Clark E. Ray, Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), Councilmember Jim Graham, George S. Hawkins, Director of the District Department of the Environment (DDOE), the Department of Health (DOH), the Washington Humane Society, and members of the Ward 1 community to announce the completion of improvements to the dog park area at Walter Pierce Park and upcoming pet vaccination clinics and pet adoption fair.

Improvements made to the dog park area at Walter Pierce Park, located at the intersection of Calvert and 20th Streets, NW, have enhanced the park for residents and their pets, and were funded through a $25,000 grant from DDOE.  DPR resurfaced the dog park area with 225 tons of crushed pea gravel, supported by 420 feet of wood timbers.  The improved dog park surface was also leveled to decrease the potential of, and minimize any water run-off.  Other improvements included the removal of overgrown vegetation, installation of new fencing with double gates, and installation of a new water fountain with a dog spigot.

"The improvements here at Walter Pierce Park reflect the positive impact that can be made by District agencies working together," said Mayor Fenty.  "This project was guided by the single goal of improving and enhancing the recreational facilities available for all of our residents."

During the day's event, DOH announced that they will be hosting two vaccination clinics for dogs and cats on April 25.  The first DOH pet vaccination clinic will take place at Walter Pierce Dog Park, from 9 am - 12 noon. The second vaccination clinic will take place from 1 pm - 4 pm at Shaw Dog Park, 11th Street and Rhode Island Avenue, NW.  Both clinics will provide free vaccinations for rabies and DHLPP (distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza and parvo virus viruses). 

“As we quickly approach the summer months when more of our neighbors and their pets are enjoying the outdoors, having animals vaccinated is just one of the many ways that District residents can play a part in making our parks healthy and safe,” said DPR Director, Clark E. Ray.

Only cats and dogs over three months old will be vaccinated for rabies at the clinic. District law requires that all owners license their dogs and fit them with a license tag on their collars. All pets must be brought to the clinic by a responsible adult. Dogs must be secured on a leash and cats must be secured in a carrier box.

The Washington Humane Society will be joining DOH at the Shaw Dog Park on April 25 from 1 to 4 pm, to host a pet adoption fair. There are no application fees, but there is an adoption fee of $135, which covers all necessary vaccinations and spaying or neutering.

Dog licenses will be available for $15 for a spayed or neutered dog and $50 for a dog which has not been spayed or neutered. No cash will be accepted; rather, all checks and money orders should be made payable to “DC Treasurer”. 

Use of DPR dog parks are free, but each dog must have a valid DC dog license, and have a DC dog park registration tag.  Applications for the DC dog park registration tag are available in the "Dog Parks" section on DPR's website, DPR.DC.GOV.  DPR and DOH will be on site at the clinic with dog park registration tag applications.

For information about the vaccination clinics, contact Peggy Keller, DOH, at (202) 535-2188; for information about the pet adoption fair, contact Kelly Manion, Washington Humane Society, at (202) 576-6839.