Is Your Dog Ready to Romp and Play at the DFA?

Portage Park DFA

Keeping a dog leashed is extremely important, especially in a dangerous city environment, but who doesn’t love watching their dog running around unencumbered, wild and free? Luckily, we here in Chicago have Dog Friendly Areas (DFAs) in many of our parks and beaches. These are the only areas in the city where it is legal to let your dog off leash. The exercise and socialization these areas allow are very important to your dog’s health and behavior. And watching them play provides us humans with endless entertainment. 

In order to use these designated areas, so called “dog parks”, your dog must be up to date with vaccines for Rabies, DHPP, Lepto and Bordetella. They also must have a negative fecal result and a city license. These requirements help ensure that your dog is only interacting with other dogs who are vaccinated and free of worms. The DFA tag itself is not expensive - it’s only $5 - but without it the city can fine you up to $500! At Portage Park Animal Hospital, we will provide the tag free of charge if all 4 of the vaccines and fecal test are performed on the same visit.

The tag is good from January to December of each year, no matter which month it was purchased. Our nearest Dog Friendly Area is at 4100 Long Avenue, south of Berteau Avenue. More information can be found at http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/facilities/dog-friendly-areas.

Now if we could only convince the city to develop Cat Friendly Areas…

Portage Park DFA