Letter: Owning a pet comes with certain responsibilities

There are so many people who care for loving dogs, I would like to thank all of you who understand the responsibility of owning a pet. 

Thank you to the Steamboat Pilot & Today for publishing the front-page article April 30, “Off-leash Dog Parks Transition from Winter to Summer.” Please do have your pets on leash from and to the parking lot. Please do read the signs at the entrance to the official off-leash areas. There are some great reminders in the article of our responsibilities. Most importantly, we must know when to be on-leash or off-leash. Just as important is our responsibility to pick up our pets’ poop. 

Steamboat Digs Dogs has worked with the city and solicited donors to provide proper bag dispensers at the parks and trails; we started paying for all of the poop bags which go into the dispensers and have spent over $73,398 from 2018 to April 30, 2024. Thanks to all who donate to our cause to make this possible.

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In the spring and fall, we host a poop pick-up day for the unfortunate poop that gets left behind. As a quick reminder, there is not a “poop fairy” walking the trails and parks daily, so please keep those filled poop bags with you on your leash until you get to the trash can.

Lastly, there have been wonderful donations that we use to upgrade the Rita Valentine Dog Park. If you have not been there for awhile, please check it out.

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We were also caught up in the P.O. Box change up, so our mailing address is now Steamboat Digs Dogs, P.O. Box 770412, Steamboat Springs, CO 80477. Always happy to hear from people and look into any suggestions you might have.

Paula Silverman
Steamboat Springs