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City Cast Philly

Wondering where to let your dog roam free in the city? Look no further, dog lovers. Here are nine dog parks that allow your dog to explore and make fellow four-legged friends.

This park just a few miles outside the city offers agility equipment for your dog to explore and enjoy, along with benches for owners to use while their dogs run around. There is a ton of natural space at this park, including scenic trails that are perfect for leashed walks with your dog.

This public dog park is a great spot for your dog to roam and meet other pups. You can become a member for $50 a year, which helps to support the park’s upkeep and fund community events like Yappy Hour and Santa Paws.

This dog park in Fishtown is a free neighborhood amenity for dogs and their owners. It was created by the New Kensington Community Development Corporation next to the Shissler Recreation Center.

This dog park at The Piazza apartment complex in Nolibs is a great spot. On its website, there’s a schedule showing when the park tends to get busy, so if your dog doesn’t like being around too many fellow canines you can find the best time to go.

Your dog can roam freely at this park in Manayunk, but just a heads-up: The ground is all dirt, so be prepared for a messy dog after playtime.

This dog park features separate, fully fenced-in play areas for large and small dogs, ensuring a safe and secure environment. Access to the park is exclusive to members; once you join, you’ll receive an access code.

This dog park is one of the most popular spots in the city for pups and their owners. It features two separate play areas: One for dogs of all sizes and another designed specifically for older, disabled, and small dogs under 25 pounds. Made with turf grass, you can bring your dog here without worrying about a mess. This dog park also offers a membership for $75 a year. And if you don’t have a dog, you can watch the doggie fun from the path overhead that leads to the Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk.

This park is a true paradise for dogs, offering a safe, off-leash environment where they can freely run, play, and socialize. Managed by the Seger Park Dog Owner’s Association (SPDOA), this 

 works to keep the park in tip-top shape.

This off-the-leash dog park outside the city in Lower Merion is the ideal place for your dog to run while you meet other dog owners in the community. It’s also a great spot for dogs who love water, with various stream access points where they can cool off and swim.

🐶 Where do you let your doggo run?

Wondering where to let your dog roam free in the city? Look no further, dog lovers. Here are 10 dog parks that allow your dog to roam, explore, and make fellow four-legged friends. Enjoy the outdoors with your pets, folks! 

Nine Dog Parks Throughout Philly

Where To Find Dog Parks in Philly

Tips and tricks for living your best Philadelphia life, by locals, for locals.

Philly Life Hacks

You might’ve heard about a mysterious respiratory illness reported 

in dogs in Pennsylvania and at least 15 other states

. So, how can you protect your dog and what are the symptoms? I’ve got you covered below.

Although medical experts have not been able to figure out the cause of the respiratory illness, 

Dr. Deborah Silverstein at the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School told 6ABC

 that it could be a form of Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex, also known as kennel cough. Or, it could be a different illness altogether. Some symptoms to look out for include labored breathing, coughing, sneezing, nose or eye discharge, lethargy or decreased appetite, and pneumonia.

The illness is spread from dog to dog, so it’s best to stay away from boarding houses, pet daycares, and dog parks. Dogs should also not share toys or bowls with others. If you’re going away for the holidays and normally board your dog, try to find a family or friend to dog sit. You also want to keep up to date 

Many of the dogs who catch this respiratory illness survive. 

 have reported symptoms of the illness, but cases have so far not been reported in Philadelphia.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture encourages pet owners with a sick dog to 

, when treatment might be most effective, NBC10 reports.

🐶 Do you have any other tips? Has your dog been sick lately? 

You might’ve heard about a mysterious respiratory illness reported in dogs in Pennsylvania and at least 15 other states. So, how can you protect your dog and what are the symptoms? I’ve got you covered below.

How To Protect Your Dog From the Mystery Illness

 is the owner and illustrator of local pet brand 

. Kuang creates custom pet portraits, pet apparel, toys, and accessories, and clothes for pet parents.

How did you first get into art/sketching?

“From my earliest memory, I was always drawing, reading, and exploring the depths of my imagination. Since then, I’ve created murals, joined every art class in my academic career, was a fashion designer for a bit, and wrote professionally for nearly a decade. I’ve since traded paint for an Apple Pencil and illustrate and design on an iPad.”

When did you launch Char & Whiskers and how has the business been growing?

“I launched about a year ago with the desire to enhance the relationships between pet parents and their pets. A single illustration for a friend transformed into illustrating 1000+ pets and growing. What was originally just art is now expanding into other pet products that can be found in stores across the country.”

What’s your favorite part about being able to create art of people’s pets?

“When I started, I made a conscious effort to build real connections with my audience and customers. Because of that, I’ve been overwhelmed with the positivity that this job brings. I feel very blessed to work with lovely people from all over the world, hearing countless stories about their pets and how much joy they bring. It’s truly what makes doing this so fulfilling.”

In Conversation With Artist Jie Yi Kuang

What Philadelphia celebrities, public figures and key citizens have to say about living here.

3 Questions With Philly Public Figures

3 Questions With

, but some residents find companionship with exotic wildlife. Just last August, Philly resident Joie Henney was spotted walking 

“Wally,” his emotional support alligator

, it’s illegal to own most exotic pets, like monkeys, wolves, and certain endangered reptiles, in Pennsylvania.

But with the proper permits, you can own a pet tiger, an alligator, or even a leopard. In order to own an exotic pet, you 

must obtain two years of hands-on experience

 with care, feeding, handling, training, and husbandry. The permit is $50 annually.

Hedgehogs (when purchased within the state)

Non-native venomous reptiles (boas, pythons, anacondas)

Large felines (tigers, jaguars, cougars, etc.)

Keep in mind: owning an exotic pet requires a lot of research, time, and money. If you’re looking to bring home a unique pet, visit the 

Do you own any exotic pets?

Exotic Pets Allowed in Pennsylvania

What Philadelphians have been wondering. We break down why things in Philadelphia are the way they are and how they work.

Philly, Explained

Thinking of adopting a furry friend of your own? Here’s a quick guide to finding your next four-legged bestie.

, which you can do online, via mail, or in-person at various shelters and pet clinics.

🐾 Philly has several low-cost shelters that would love to help you out. Here’s the application form for the 

. Same-day adoptions are available, but walk-ins should sign up for the 

🐾 Philly PAWS is another great option. Their website has an 

 section, featuring the animals who have been waiting the longest. You can 

 to adopt cats, dogs, and other small animals.

. Apply online or scope out a new buddy in person at 

 in Brewerytown. You’ll need two references, a veterinarian contact if you have other pets, and your landlord’s contact to confirm pet policy. The process can take up to five days.

Where to Adopt a Pet in Philadelphia

, Philly is a city of pet lovers. But we already knew that, didn’t we? Households in the Philadelphia metropolitan area have a higher percentage of cat ownership among the nation’s 15 largest metro areas: 568,000. 

It may be raining both cats and dogs in the city, but dogs are the 

 champs. Of all households in the metro area, 788,000 of them have at least one dog.

Naturally, Philly has an abundance of high-quality pet stores, and one of the best in the game is 

, formally known as Bonejour Pet Supplies. The new name serves to reflect its equal focus on both dog and cat customers.  


Anima offers natural and preventative pet products like raw food, supplements, and treats. It also has cool accessories and fashion for your style-savvy furry friends, as well as a DIY bath spa. Even our pets need a spa day sometimes.


If you live too far from Old City, Anima offers city-wide delivery. And if you’re a new pet parent, you can get nutrition counseling from staff. What more could you ask for?

pets

Where To Find Dog Parks in Philly

How To Protect Your Dog From the Mystery Illness

In Conversation With Artist Jie Yi Kuang

Latest articles

Where To Find Dog Parks in Philly

How To Protect Your Dog From the Mystery Illness

In Conversation With Artist Jie Yi Kuang

Exotic Pets Allowed in Pennsylvania

Where to Adopt a Pet in Philadelphia

Meet Anima Natural Pet Products, 1 of Philly's Best Pet Stores

Latest articles

Exotic Pets Allowed in Pennsylvania

Where to Adopt a Pet in Philadelphia

Meet Anima Natural Pet Products, 1 of Philly's Best Pet Stores