Spring forward and adopt one of these loving pets. March 9-10

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Who is ready for spring? As the snow has melted away, imagine how letting your pup out can affect the grass around you. It affects not only you but your neighbors if they should stray off the path.

Most homeowners let their dogs use the backyard as their toilet. After a winter of such potty practice, you’ll find your lawn speckled with unsightly yellow patches when the snow melts. First off, what causes these patches?

The nitrogen concentration in the dog’s urine varies by the type of dog, its sex, and what the animal eats.

Female dogs also tend to cause more damage than males because they squat and urinate in one concentrated patch, whereas the males spray their urine over larger areas. Diets high in protein can increase nitrogen concentration in the urine since protein breaks down to release nitrogen compounds.

So, how do we prevent this? You can start by changing your dog’s diet. Feed the dog food with lower protein content so there is subsequently less nitrogen in the urine.

• Water it down. When your dog pees on the grass, try to water it down as soon as it finishes with a watering can or hose. This will help dilute the pee and lessen its effects.
• Consider getting a ‘pee post’. Some pet shops sell posts you can stick in the ground to encourage male dogs to pee against them.
• Walking first thing. To minimize the damage to your lawn, you might want to take your dog for a short walk first thing in the morning so they can pee elsewhere. Just remember to take plenty of poo bags!
• Provide more water. It’s important to always provide your dog with clean, fresh water. The better hydrated they are, the more watered-down their pee will be naturally! You could also try adding water to their food or feeding them canned food that will dilute their pee further (though this may result in them needing to pee a lot more!).

This is Tiny Dancer…

DOG-FRIENDLY PARKS

· Allison Park, off-leash area, the field at the end of the trail bordered by Prospect Avenue, Sailors Snug Harbor Cemetery, and the pond

· Amundsen Trail, off-leash area, between Amboy Road and Hylan Boulevard

· Arthur Von Briesen Park, off-leash area, lawn area, mid-park on the right side

· Bloomingdale Park, dog run, Maguire Avenue behind athletic fields closer to Ramona Avenue

· Clove Lakes Park, off-leash area, the open field above picnic area near Royal Oak Road and Rice Avenue

· Clove Lakes Park, off-leash area, Brookside Avenue between Alpine Court and Kingsley Avenue (lawn area)

· Clove’s Tail Park, off-leash area, lawn area, corner of Victory Boulevard and Little Clove Road

· Conference House Park, dog run, Clermont Avenue and Massachusetts Street

· Cozzens Woods Park, off-leash area, Page Avenue between Hylan Boulevard and Amboy Road

· Crescent Beach Park, off-leash area, Tennyson Drive, and Glover Avenue. Located in the meadow area leading to the beach

· Evergreen Park, off-leash area, Greaves Avenue and Evergreen Street

· Father Macris Park, off-leash area, lawn beyond ball field

· Ida Court Playground, dog run, Ida Court between N. Railroad Street and Drumgoole Road East

· Lemon Creek Park, off-leash area, the bottom of Seguine Avenue at Johnston Terrace; just below playground

· Siedenburg Park, off-leash area, Greaves Avenue, and Evergreen Street

· Silver Lake Park, dog run, Victory Boulevard below the pavilion, across from the Parkview Apartments

· South Beach Park, off-leash area. Note: On sand only after Labor Day and before Memorial Day

· Willowbrook Park, off-leash area, Archery Range Field

· Wolfe’s Pond Park, dog run, to the left of Cornelia Avenue

For more information with rules and regulations, visit nycgovparks.org/facilities/dogareas.

Dogs cannot enter any bathing facilities, including those at New York City beaches. However, from Oct. 1 through May 1, leashed dogs are allowed on the sand and boardwalk at Midland Beach and South Beach.

Leashed dogs are allowed on the boardwalk/promenade at Midland Beach and South Beach.

For more information on rules and regulations, visit nycgovparks.org/facilities/dogareas.

PET FITNESS!

PET POISON HELPLINES

If you think your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, contact the Pet Poison hotline at 855-764-7661 or petpoisonhelpline.com, or contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 or aspca.org.

As the seasons change, keep in mind the plants that are poisonous to animals: https://www.rover.com/blog/poisonous-plants/

TO REPORT ANIMAL CRUELTY

To report an incident of animal abuse, call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS or visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION

To contact an environmental conservation police officer or report suspected violations, contact the DEC Law Enforcement Dispatch Center at 844-DEC-ECOS (844-332-3267) or dec.ny.gov/.