Dog-friendly patios are all over downtown. Here are Rocky and his owner, Angie Fetzer, at Oodles. They live in West Knoxville, but come downtown every Sunday.
Dog Fancy magazine, the world’s most widely read dog magazine, has named Knoxville the most dog-friendly city in the Southeast. The city’s “Dogtown USA” designation will be included in the next issue of the magazine which hits newsstands Aug. 23.
“We’re so excited for Knoxville’s pet community,” said Randy Boyd, president and CEO of Knoxville-based Radio Systems Corporation, makers of the PetSafe, Invisible Fence and SportDOG pet products. “Many different people and groups have worked together to grow Knoxville into one of the best areas for pets, and we couldn’t be more proud of the efforts of the Most Pet Friendly Community Committee and everyone who has supported our mission. This is a milestone, but it’s not the end of the road.”
The magazine listed several reasons for the distinction:
- Young-Williams Animal Center, which has succeeded in doubling the number of spay/neuter procedures performed in Knoxville;
- The well-regarded UT Vet School located here;
- A $500,000 donation from PetSafe which funded four dog parks, with two more under development;
- The number of restaurants that welcome dogs on their patios;
- The number of pet-friendly events such as Mardi Growl, Bark in the Park, Doggy Date Night and Yappy Hour;
- The first ever Knoxville Morris Animal Foundation K-9 Cancer Walk (making us the fifth city in the country to hold one) set for Sept. 18 to raise funds to fight canine cancer;
- The existence of the Most Pet Friendly Community Committee, a group dedicated to that very cause.
Don’t be misled. There is still much work to be done. Thousands of animals still are euthanized every year. And many in our community regard animals more as property than as family members, an attitude that is, unfortunately, prevalent throughout the South and in many rural areas.
But this is a “win” we can be proud of. It means we are moving in the right direction. Let’s keep it up and we’ll become an even more caring, compassionate community and an even better place to live.
Aki is an 11-year-old Shiba Inu. He and his owner, Judith Meyer, live downtown and love to sit on the downtown patios.
Here are newlyweds Nate and Hannah Noll on Market Square Sunday with their little Maltese, Nellie.
Hamilton is a nine-week old shelter puppy who was visiting Tomato Head for the first time Sunday.
Max the Scottie is 9-1/2 years old, but this was his first trip downtown. His owner, Kim Ryan, said they were just looking for a place where he could get wet. The fountains on Market Square filled the bill.
Two-year-old Kirra was at Cafe Four with Jim Talbert, a friend of her owner.
Peanut and her owner, Bridget Bohanan, were visiting from Smith Station, Alabama. Bohanan said Knoxville is the most dog-friendly city she's ever been to.
Mast General Store on Gay Street welcomes dogs into the store.
Inside Mast General Store, Jet gets a hug from Ariel Murray and Ariel's mother, Stacey Murray.
Jacob Perales holds his 12-year-old chihuahua, Pebble, near the huge candy section at Mast.
The PetSafe dog parks contributed to Knoxville's dog-friendly status. Here's the one downtown.
Dogs enjoying the PetSafe Downtown Dog Park Sunday: Kyra, the Siberian husky pup who belongs to Kellye Pepper, Marie Antoinette, the bull terrier, and Benny, the French bulldog, both of whom belong to Stephanie Hardy and Jeff Garner.
Everyone seemed interested in the agility hurdle Lauren Christ and John Miller bought from PetSafe and brought to the park.
Lauren's dog, Pez, takes a water break.
Benny takes a rest.
We at Moxley Carmichael take a real interest in this story because both Young-Williams Animal Center and PetSafe are clients of ours. Also, several of us have dogs in our families.
Graphic designer Erica Beck with Myah, left, and Bentley
Account exec Lauren Christ with Pez, left, and Chloe
Account specialist Tami Hartmann with Maggie, left, and Bailey.
Our CFO, Shaun Fulco, and Bella
This is our friend and client Robin Hawn from PetSafe with her dog, Buckley.
It was a coincidence that when Alan and I ran into our buddy Matt Synowiez on Market Square Sunday, he was wearing this shirt!
Ha!
Perfect!
Photo credits: Karl Beck took the photo of Erica Beck and her dogs. Brian Hartmann took the photo of Tami Hartmann and her dogs. John Miller took the photo of Lauren Christ and her dogs. Jacob Sercovich took the photo of Shaun Fulco and her dog. Lauren Christ took the photos of the dogs at the PetSafe Downtown Dog Park. And Robin Hawn’s photo is courtesy of PetSafe. Thanks, everyone!
We are so proud to be such a Dog Friendly city. Randy Boyd’s leadership and generosity have made an incredible difference. The “Dogs on Patios” ordinance has been a great success. It is amazing how well the dogs and (most of) the owners tolerate and even enjoy each other.
Cynthia, great post! I hope this helps get even more Knoxvillians interested in the efforts of the Most Pet Friendly Community Committee. We have a lot to be proud of. I’m very grateful for Young-Williams Animal Center, where I adopted Chloe and Pez, and for the PetSafe Dog Parks, where we’ve enjoyed being outside in beautiful East Tennessee and getting to know so many other pet owners we wouldn’t have met otherwise. Next, we’re looking forward to Movies on the Square, which we hear are all pet-friendly this year!
Bill: The city of Knoxville itself is to be commended for all it’s done to help with the dog-friendly efforts, including the successful implementation of the “Dogs on Patio” ordinance. Lauren: We are fortunate indeed to have all these great dog-centric activities. I’m looking forward to Team MoxCar’s participation in the upcoming Morris Foundation K-9 Cancer Walk. Thanks for being the chair of our team!
Please ask Tami,
What kind of dog is Bailey? I have a granddog that looks just like him.
Annette
This brings much joy to my soul knowing I can offer something so special to such a wonderful dog-loving community! I’m East TN’s first (and only) Tellington TTouch practitioner.
He is a Jack Russell terrier. I was with Bruce and Tami when they “won” him at a Baptist Nautical Mile live auction! People, led by Jim Clayton, threw heaps of money on a table to “help” them win him. Much to Bruce’s chagrin!
My cat, Rexie, is requesting equal time.
Caesar seconds Rexie’s motion!
Is the Southeast’s Most Cat Friendly City next on the agenda? (What would a cat friendly city look like anyway?)
Great story! Cute photos!
Thanks, Gay! Good question about a cat-friendly city!
Annette: That comment about Bailey being a Jack Russell was meant for you. Got confused and didn’t say that.
Where are Ellen and Buddy and Coco?!?!
We are “pet friendly” too! Our store, 4 Chics and a Cat in Maryville is pet friendly, doggies on a leash please since we have a cat that lives in the store. All of our proceeds help animal welfare groups in Blount Co. We hope to see a dog park in our town soon! AWESOME job Knoxville!
Pingback:Blue Streak » Dogs ruled last Sunday during event for good cause
About the Author
What You’re Saying
What’s Hot
My Favorite Blogs
Archives