Activities and treats for all support local shelters
The Walkway Over the Hudson has been a dog-friendly park since its opening in 2009 and will host Dog Adoption Day on Saturday, April 20. The day will start off with a dog walk from 9 – 11 a.m. with a pet etiquette discussion. Walkway doggie memberships and dog bandanas will be raffled off.
After the dog walk, on the west side of the park, from 11 to 4 p.m., dogs will be available for adoption. Those who cannot adopt can find out about volunteering or fostering a pet. Those who adopt dogs will receive free gift bags.
Walkway park staff Mike Cappuccilli Jr., left, Michele Markey and Shea (a rescue pup and Walkway dog ambassador), Geoff Travagline and Jeff Hayden (Photo courtesy of Walkway)
Activities for kids include face painting, balloon animals and a visit from the mascot, Harvey the Hound. Pooches will enjoy fresh-baked dog treats by Cakes by Meg. Stylish T-shirts will be available to commemorate the day. Local salsa company My Brother Bobby’s Salsa has packaged a special edition label to commemorate the event. Pet and Play Resort will present workshops on how to introduce your dogs to one another, doggie body language, and heat exhaustion.
There will be a pet food and supply drive, too. Drop off pet food, treats, beds, toys, cleaning supplies, towels and old blankets. The donated items will be divided up and given to the shelters that participate, including the Animal Farm Foundation, Hudson Valley Humane Society, Ulster County SPCA, Dutchess County SPCA, Roundout Valley Animals for Adoption, Humane Society of Walden, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Pets Alive Animal Sanctuary, Warwick Valley Humane Society, Town of Hyde Park Animal Control, National Great Pyrenees Rescue, and OCC Retriever Rescue.
The Walkway Over the Hudson has two entrances, one on either side of the Hudson River: the east side of the river at 61 Parker Ave. in Poughkeepsie; the west side of the river at 87 Haviland Road in Highland. The site is administered by New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation – Taconic Region. For further information, contact the park office at 845-834-2867 or visit nysparks.com.
