WAG & WALK DOG HIKE: Season Five is Here!

WAG & WALK DOG ADOPTION HIKE

A past Wag & Walk participant works the crowds

Hiking canines from the Maricopa County Animal Care and Control Mesa shelter are back for Season 5 of Wag & Walk Dog Adoption Hikes with tails wagging, sky-high energy and a special, people-pleasing bonus.

Enjoy hiking in beautiful Usery Mountain Regional Park.

Volunteers will be on site to assist you.

Who could resist a cutie like this?

Adoptable shelter dogs will be hitting the Merkle Trail at Usery Mountain Regional Park in Mesa on Saturday November 3^rd in hopes of finding their forever homes. Plus, new for this season, the MCACC mobile adoption bus will be on site so you can purchase or renew your dog's license---without having to pay late fees. Tagging your wag is the best step you can take to be reunited with your pet if he or she gets lost. Regular license fees ($21 for altered dogs and $55 for unaltered dogs) plus proof of rabies vaccination are required.

A Wag & Walk participant takes a post-hike break.

Shelter dogs get some love on Wag & Walk hikes.

Wag & Walk hikes give you a chance to get a hands-on feel for how your potential new best friend walks on a leash and interacts with other dogs. Take a “test drive” on the easy, 1-mile loop hike followed by a meet-and-greet session back at the trailhead. 

Owned dogs are welcome to participate.

Shelter volunteers will be on hand to share information on each dog’s character, exercise needs, quirks and talents.  If you happen to fall in love with one (or more) of the dogs, you can adopt and take your new buddy home on-the-spot. All dogs are already spayed or neutered, up-to-date on their shots and licensed. 

Energy and fun go through the woof at Wag & Walk events.

Play with adoptable dogs after the hike.

Even if you’re not ready to add a pet to your family, please help support Valley homeless dogs by joining us for a morning of desert hiking and canine silliness.  On-leash, owned dogs with current vaccinations are welcome to participate.

Wagging tails and happy hikers.

The Merkle Trail is an easy, 1-mile stroll.

You don't have to be looking to adopt to participate.

"Test drive" adoptable dogs to see their leash skills.

WHAT: Wag & Walk Dog Adoption Hike

WHEN: Saturday November 3, 2018

TIME:  8:45 a.m.

Hike starts at 9 a.m.

WHERE:

Usery Mountain Regional Park, Mesa

3939 N. Usery Pass Rd. Mesa, AZ 85207
Phone: (480) 984-0032 
Area 6, Merkel trailhead.

INFO & MAP:

https://maricopacountyparks.org/usery

Wag & Walk Dog Adoption Hikes 2017-2018 Season

Wag & Walk Dog Adoption Hikes 2017-2018 Season

A Wag & Walk participant takes a snuggle break

A handsome boy and his volunteer handler.

October brings cooler temperatures, sunny days and the beginning of hiking season in the Valley. Few creatures are happier about this than the adoptable dogs at the Maricopa County Animal Care & Control shelter in Mesa. That’s because on the first Saturday of every month from October through April, they get to strut their stuff along the Merkel Trail at Usery Mountain Regional Park.

Shelter volunteers are on hand to assist you

 The public is invited to join the four-legged sweeties on these easy, 1-mile Wag & Walk Dog Adoption Hikes and also stick around for a meet-and-greet play session back at the trailhead. Shelter volunteers will be on hand to answer your questions about each dog’s personality, activity level, trick repertoire and history.

You can even “test drive” the dogs to see how well they behave on leash. For those looking for a potential canine hiking partner, this is a great opportunity to interact with dogs outside of the kennel environment where they are more relaxed and better able to display their true characters. All participating dogs will be spayed or neutered, up-to-date on their shots and ready to go home with you on the spot!  But, you don’t have to be considering adoption to join the fun. 

An adoptable dog demonstrates his hiking skills.

Perhaps you’re thinking about becoming a volunteer or looking for a way to add miles to your 100 Miles in 100 Days Challenge—a Maricopa County Park program that encourages hikers, bikers and horseback riders to log 100 trail miles between November 1, 2017 and February 8, 2018. We can help you with that. So why not double down on the fun?

Looking for her forever home....

WHERE: 

Usery Mountain Regional Park, Area 6.

3939 N. Usery Pass Road, Mesa

DATE: Saturday, October 7, 2017 and every first Saturday through April.

TIME: 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Wag & Walk

http://www.maricopacountyparks.net/events/wag-n-walk-dog-adoption-hike-07/

100 Miles in 100 Days Challenge

http://www.maricopacountyparks.net/things-to-do/activity/100-miles-in-100-days-challenge/

Wag & Walk Dog AdoptionHikes Return Oct. 1, 2016

WAG & WALK DOG ADOPTION HIKE

Usery Mountain Regional Park

Ruh Roh, make way for the pups! Cuddly canines from the Maricopa County Animal Care & Control east shelter will be hitting the trail again on Saturday October 1st for the 2016-17 premier of Wag & Walk dog adoption hikes. Come on out to beautiful Usery Mountain Regional Park in Mesa and join the dogs on the easy, 1-mile Merkle Trail. Each dog will be accompanied by a volunteer handler who can tell you all about the animal's breed, personality, activity level and history at the shelter. You may also "test drive" the dogs to see how they handle on leash. This is a great opportunity to meet adoptable pets in a relaxed environment where they're more likely to display their loveable vibes. All dogs are already spayed or neutered, are up-to-date on their shots and ready to go directly into their new forever homes. You don't have to be in the market for a new fur baby to join the fun, though.

There will be lot's of information on hiking with dogs, shelter services and how you can sign up to become a volunteer. What could be better than celebrating the beginning of prime hiking season with a bunch of butt wagging dogs?

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016 and every 1st Saturday of the month Oct. - April.

TIME: 9 a.m.

WHERE: Usery Mountain Regional Park. 3939 N. Usery Pass Rd., Mesa. Merkle Trailhead Area 6.

http://www.maricopacountyparks.net/park-locator/usery-mountain-regional-park/

PUPPY BOWL!

DOG ADOPTION HIKE: SATURDAY FEB. 1, 2014

Usery Mountain Regional Park

"Nazareth" participated in the January hike

With Super Bowl weekend comes your chance to enjoy the big game in a huddle with a new best buddy. This Saturday,  the public is invited to tackle the Merkle trail along 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 greatly reduced adoption fees. Many of these dogs have been waiting to find their forever homes for a very looooong time.  Could YOU be the hero that carries them the final yards for the "touch down" they've been dreaming about?  Even if you’re not looking for a new fur baby, hiking among a pack of happy tails makes for a memorable morning in the desert.

LENGTH: 1-mile loop

ELEVATION: 1950'

RATING: easy, barrier-free

FEE: $6 park entry fee per vehicle

TIME: 9 a.m.

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. Follow the main road to Merkel trailhead at PARKING AREA 6. 

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

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

Next "Wag & Walk" dog adoption hike is January 4, 2014!

"WAG & WALK" DOG ADOPTION HIKE

Usery Mountain Regional Park

"Oreo" participated in the December hike

Take a hike with a pack of adoptable dogs from Maricopa County Animal Care’s Mesa shelter on Saturday January 4, 2014 starting at 9:00 a.m.. In addition to being exceptionally cute and sweet, “Wag & Walk” hiker dogs are already spayed or neutered and available to go home on the spot, usually at greatly reduced adoption fees.  Even if you’re not looking for a new fur baby, hiking with a group of tail-wagging dogs who are ecstatic about getting out of their kennels for some much needed exercise makes for a memorable morning in the desert. Also, everybody who adopts one (or more) of the hiker dogs will be eligible to win free county park passes!  PLEASE JOIN US.  NO REGISTRATION---JUST SHOW UP.

"Bugle" was adopted!!

LENGTH: Merkle Trail: 1-mile loop

ELEVATION: 1950'

RATING: easy, barrier-free

FEE: $6 park entry fee per vehicle

FACILITIES: picnic tables, restrooms, water,

GETTING THERE: Usery Mountain Regional Park,

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. HIKE MEETS AT "AREA 6" TRAILHEAD PARKING.

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

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

Happy tails at Usery Mountain Park

MERKLE TRAIL WAG & WALK HIKES

Usery Mountain Regional Park

A hopeful pup and her handler arrive at the trailhead

More than 29 miles of hiking trails bumping up against Mesa's Goldfield Mountains grace this lower Sonoran Desert park.  The miles are divided up among 19 routes ranging from easy to difficult, so there's something for everyone---including those who require or prefer barrier-free trekking. For hikers pushing strollers or turning wheels, the Merkle Trail is just the ticket.  Off limits to bikes and horses, the flat, graded path makes a loop through lush vegetation with outstanding mountain views. On the first Saturday of each month from November through April, the public is invited to hike this trail along with adoptable dogs from Maricopa County Animal Care’s east shelter. “Wag & Walk” hiker dogs are already spayed or neutered and available to go home on the spot with reduced adoption fees and a chance to win free county park passes.  Even if you’re not looking for a new fur baby, hiking among a pack of happy tails makes for a memorable morning in the desert.

Volunteers hike with adoptable dogs

LENGTH: 1-mile loop

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.

UPCOMING WAG & WALK HIKES:  All hikes begin at 9 a.m. at the Merkle trailhead (area 6 parking). December 7, January 4, February 4, March 1, April 5. No registration required. 

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

http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/usery/ 

MORE PHOTOS:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4890141510122.1073741893.1795269672&type=1&l=f553932ae8

Adopt a shelter dog hike

WAG & WALK DOG ADOPTION HIKE

Saturday, November 3, 2013 

Wolfie--ADOPTED!

Hikers, I'll be leading this public event featuring adoptable shelter dogs from Maricopa County Animal Care & Control on an easy, barrier-free trail in Usery Mountain Regional Park. Owned, leashed dogs that are at least 6 months old and current on their vaccinations are welcome to join the trek. Don't have a dog? No problem. Here's your opportunity to "test drive" potential canine hiking partners to see how they behave on leash and get along with other dogs while learning about trail ettiquite and safety. Bring water, sun protection, sturdy footware and an open heart for a possible new best friend. 

WHERE: Usery Mountain Park, Mesa. 

WHEN: FIRST SATURDAY THE MONTH, NOV- APRIL Meet 9 a.m. sharp at the Merkle trailhead. $6 per vehicle park entry fee.

INFO & MAP:

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