| Most parks will have some form of pet regulations in | | | | Some dogs become very vocal when their owners |
| effect to ensure the campsite and area, fellow | | | | are not around or if they see something they should |
| campers and your pet are safe and happy. | | | | be letting everyone in sight know about. This is known |
| Most people only bring either dogs or cats, a few bring | | | | as excessive noise and can be very disturbing to |
| birds and some may even have an iguana or two but | | | | fellow campers. Listening to a dog cry for hours |
| for now I am going to focus on the dogs and cats. | | | | because their owner has left them on the campsite is |
| 1. Your pet must be on a leash at all times. | | | | not a pleasant experience for anyone, including the |
| Your dog or cat may not respond the same in a | | | | dog. If you must leave your pet behind at the campsite, |
| camping environment as they would in your home. Just | | | | ensure they have shade, water and food available and |
| for instance, I had taken my cat camping and had her | | | | only leave them for a short time. If you are going |
| on a leash beside the tent. The neighbor had a large | | | | somewhere that you can't take your pet for a longer |
| poodle that was running loose on their campsite. I had | | | | period, some parks have pet-sitters close by that you |
| reminded them that dogs must be leashed at all times | | | | could leave them with. It is best to check with the park |
| and of course their reply was "my dog is not a threat | | | | before you go if you know you are going to be away |
| to anyone or anything". Maybe 5 minutes later the | | | | for an extended period. |
| poodle saw my cat and the chase was on. Somehow | | | | 4. You must not let your pet disturb wildlife or habitat. |
| the cat managed to get out of the leash and the dog | | | | Some dogs and cats like to chase things whether it is |
| was in hot pursuit. All you could see was 2 black | | | | a ball, an animal or a bird. Deer, chipmunks, squirrels, |
| streaks running flat out through the trees. Eventually | | | | and birds are the favourite things for pets to chase |
| the cat saw an open tent door (which happened to be | | | | while camping. Again you must be able to control them |
| the neighbour's tent) and ran for it. The owner saw the | | | | to ensure they don't chase anything. |
| dog chasing it and thankfully got the tent door closed | | | | The habitat on and around your campsite is very |
| before the dog got there. Needless to say - they kept | | | | delicate and when it is destroyed or damaged it takes |
| the dog on a leash after that. | | | | a long time to recover. Your best option is to have a |
| Dogs in particular are quite nosy and like to investigate | | | | steel stake with a swivel top to attach your pet's leash |
| anything that is new. Sometimes that new something is | | | | to and not the trees or brush around your site. |
| a porcupine, a raccoon or a rattlesnake which is | | | | Remember your leash must not extend off the |
| another good reason to keep your pet on a leash. It is | | | | campsite and in most parks it may be limited to 2 |
| also very important to have a first aid kit available just | | | | metres or 6 feet. |
| in case. The park attendants will know where to find a | | | | 5. Stoop and Scoop |
| vet if you need one. | | | | This is one of the joys of being a pet owner - you |
| 2. Your pet is not allowed at any swimming area or on | | | | must clean up after them whether you are at home or |
| the beach. | | | | in a campground. It is not a pleasant thing to encounter |
| A lot of parks that have a beach may also have a pet | | | | when you are walking barefoot to the beach or setting |
| exercise area with water access. Pets and people | | | | up a campsite if the pet owner has not done their job |
| sometimes don't make friends very well, especially if | | | | properly. You would not want someone to let their dog |
| you have a pet that is very protective of their family | | | | do his business on your lawn at home so the same |
| unit. All those people make them very nervous and apt | | | | thing applies to campsites. |
| to strike out at anyone or anything that is passing by. | | | | Following these few simple rules will ensure that you, |
| There is also the fact that some people are allergic to | | | | your pet and your fellow campers will have a pleasant |
| pets. | | | | and enjoyable stay in any campground. |
| 3. Your pet must be kept under control | | | | |