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Dogs in Port Townsend

Recreation > Dogs

Good places to bring your dog are the Larry Scott Trail, North Beach County Park and Fort Worden. There is an informal, fenced off-leash dog park on Jackson St. north of Chetzemoka City Park near the old Golden Age building. In-town dog walking must be on leash and PLEASE always pick up your dog's poop, we hate finding it in our yards or on sidewalks!

Deer are all over town and a loose dog may be harmed or cause the deer to spook, so control your pet at all times. Dogs are REQUIRED to be licensed in both Jefferson County and the City of Port Townsend. (See Jefferson County Animal Services and Licensing information).

Check out the local City Parks and County Parks sections for further park info. For all WA State Parks including Fort Worden and Fort Townsend the following rules apply:

• Pets are allowed in most state parks but must be under physical control at all times on a leash no more than eight feet long.
• Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets.
• Pets are not permitted on designated swimming beaches.

On the Port Townsend-Keystone ferry run, as with all WA State Ferries, pets should stay in your car, or on a leash on the car deck if you are a walk-on passenger. Otherwise, they must be kept in pet carriers. On some ferries, it is possible to take your animal to outside upper decks, but they may not be in the cabin at any time. This, of course, does not apply to disabled person who has a service animal. These special animals may accompany their owners into the cabin. All pets should have rabies shots. If in doubt, ask at the tollbooth as you pay your fare.

No restaurants allow dogs in their dining areas, because in WA there is some law prohibiting animals except for sevice or guide dogs. (A few tips about Dog Guide Etiquette).

Olympic Mountain Pet Pals is a nonprofit organization serving animals and their families in Jefferson County, Washington. They are an all-volunteer organization dedicated to better lives for companion animals. Programs are supported by donations, grants, and fundraising events and more than 95 percent of funds go directly toward helping animals.

Search Local Businesses for Pet Services in PT.