Next Wag & Walk Dog Adoption hike is Saturday, Feb 1, 2014

WAG & WALK DOG ADOPTION HIKE: FEB. 1, 2014

Usery Mountain Regional Park, Mesa

Bark, I mean MARK your calendar (with a pen, not pee) for Saturday Feb. 1, 2014.  That's the date for the next Maricopa County Animal Care/County Parks DOG ADOPTION HIKE! On the first Saturday of each month from November through April, the public is invited to hike the Merkle Trail with adoptable dogs from Maricopa County Animal Care’s Mesa shelter. “Wag & Walk” hiker dogs are already spayed or neutered and available to go home on the spot, usually at reduced adoption fees.  Many of the dogs who participated in these hikes have found their "fur-ever" homes, and all of them certainly enjoyed strutting their stuff on the trail. 

The dogs also inspired some (human) hikers to become Day Foster Volunteers.  This special team takes dogs out of the shelter for a day, weekend or a few hours to walk, socialize or just to get some quiet time and extra attention.  Sound interesting?  Sign up here: http://www.maricopa.gov/Pets/help.aspx

LENGTH: 1-mile loop (Merkle Trail)

ELEVATION: 1950'

RATING: easy, barrier-free

FEE: $6 park entry fee per vehicle

FACILITIES: picnic tables, restrooms, water,

GETTING THERE:

3939 N. Usery Pass Rd., Mesa AZ 85207

From Phoenx, travel east on US60 to the Ellsworth Road exit.  Go north on Ellsworth to the park entrance.

TIME: 9 a.m. at the Merkle trailhead (area 6 parking).

INFO: Maricopa County Parks & Recreation, 480-984-0032

http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/usery/

EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE STORY ABOUT THE JANUARY HIKE:
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/get_out/events/collection_e9e6bcb4-77fc-11e3-8234-0019bb2963f4.html