July 19, 2008

Amidst yelps and barks, Monroe opened the first off leash park for four footed furry friends who love to run without a leash.  And, for those owners who love to throw balls and Frisbees there is plenty of room. The three-acre dog playground opened Saturday after a flurry of activity from local and MuttShack volunteers to complete all in time for opening day.

Last Saturday 25 volunteers worked on construction of Wiggly Field from 9:00am to 3:00pm.   They had two fence construction crews, a painting crew, a crew repairing the agility equipment and another crew spreading wood chips.  

See pictures!               

The Mayor of Monroe Donnetta Walser with David Friedman of MuttShack at the MuttShack Booth.

"All of the help was tremendous as we made a lot of progress" said the organizers.   "The Monroe Rotary Club supplied cold drinks and pizza for the volunteers.   We had a lot of fun on a really warm day!"
 

The city of Monroe raised about $5,000 in donations from the community to prepare the site. Volunteers also pitched in, creating the off-leash area, the first such designated spot for dogs within city limits.

Fence and Water Stations are still needed

"We will continue to make improvements and plan events, with your support and others in our community" said Denise Jacobsen, administrative assistant for the city's parks and recreation department.

"Our parks and recreation staff will put up wire mesh along the wood fence within the next two weeks to contain wandering dogs.  Our next highest priority is to raise funds to purchase a drinking fountain and pipe for permanent water to Wiggly Field.  In the interim, please bring water for your dogs.  The fundraising goal for the dog drinking fountain and pipe materials is $2,000.  Please help us spread that word too." she added.

MuttShack Animal Rescue Volunteers helped prepare the ground for what became a gorgeous park.  Twenty-five volunteers worked on a recent Saturday, putting up fences, preparing the agility equipment and spreading wood chips.

The project didn't cost the city any money.  The city is still seeking additional donations to create a water fountain for dogs and to build a message board.

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See Photos of Work Party

The owner was a rescuer who had taken on many animals and had collected a large number of unwanted goats, geese, ducks chickens and one Llama but it appears it all got out of hand when she herself became ill.
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By Ranny Green
Seattle Times Desk Editor

When Mary Jarman Karr of Woodinville flew to New Orleans on Oct. 15 to help rescue displaced Hurricane Katrina pets, she had intended to return in a week.

Seven weeks later, Karr finally made the 3,300-mile journey home, with a truck full of unlikely passengers: 63 cats, including 35 that were feral.

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