News & Politics

Dog-Friendly DC and other Pet Services

Community groups are good sources of information on dog parks and dog-friendly events. Here are our picks for the most helpful local pet resources.

This article is from 2006's Pet Guide package. The information may be out-of-date, so please call locations listed for new information.

To see the new Pet Guide from 2008, click here.

The District's largest community group is DCDOG (groups.yahoo.com/group/dcdog). Clubs are also operating in Adams Morgan (amdogs.org); Dupont, Logan, and Scott circles (circledogsdc.org); Shaw (groups.yahoo.com/group/dogsofgreatershaw); and Capitol Hill (hillhounds.org).

ArlingtonDogs.org offers directions and descriptions for county dog parks, a list of events, and a message board for arranging play dates and seeking recommendations forservices.

The Dog Lover's Companion to Washington DC & Baltimore by Ann and Don Oldenburg (Avalon Travel, $19.95). Ratings of dog parks and dog-friendly places around Washington and Baltimore with day-trip destinations.

MarylandPet.com lists pet and animal services throughout the state.

Metropets.org is the primary source for all things animalia in the Washington area.

Montgomery County Dog Owners Group (mc-dog.org) helps operate three dog parks. 

More Services

DoodyCalls, 800-366-3922, doodycalls.com. Regular or one-time cleanings of your backyard and other outdoor areas that pets soil. Also treats brown lawn spots. In DC, Virginia, and Maryland.

Frisky Felines & Friends, 202-582-7387; friskyfelines.com. In addition to pet sitting and dog walking, this company provides backyard cleanup, pet taxi, and errands services in DC only.

Vet Taxi, 202-276-5744; vettaxi.com. Ilkim Boyle transports all types of pets to and from vet appointments, kennels, airports, and other destinations throughout the area. Trained as a veterinary technician, she will sit in on a pet's checkup and give customers a summary.

Your Pet's Business, Woodbridge; 703-445-9911; yourpetsbusiness.com. Regular and one-time pooper-scooping service as well as pet sitting. Northern Virginia and parts of DC and Maryland.