Pet Friendly

If you live in Missoula, it’s likely that you have or want a pet. Recent statistics indicate there is one resident dog in Missoula per every two humans. Perhaps it’s because Missoula is such a pet and dog-friendly city.

Pet-Friendly Parks
Not only do most parks allow dogs on leash, butseveral public recreation areas allow canine companions to accompany their human friends on outdoor adventures.

Several of these off-leash, dog-friendly areas include:

Blue Mountain Recreation Area
Blue Mountain Rd., off Highway 93 S.
Open 6 a.m. until 10 p.m.

This 4,900-acre recreational area is well-suited for hiking, biking, and exercising with dogs on voice restraint.

Fort Missoula Canine Campus
Fort Missoula Rd.
Open dawn until dusk

A fenced area just west of the horseshoe pits in Fort Missoula Park offers a great area for obedience and agility training.

Jacobs Island Bark Park
Van Buren St., just over the walking bridge
Open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

On the river near UM, the east end of the island is a six-acre fenced park for dogs to explore, leash-free.

Pattee Canyon Recreation Area
Pattee Canyon Dr.
Open dawn until dusk

There are no dog restrictions from the Crazy Canyon area to City of Missoula property. Elsewhere in this wooded, year-round recreation area, dogs are generally allowed, except for on groomed ski trails in winter months.

Rattlesnake National Recreation Area
Sawmill Gulch Rd. Trailhead
Open dawn until dusk

Dogs on leashes are welcome in almost all areas of this vast, 33,000-acre wilderness and recreation area. The Woods Gulch trail loop has no dog restrictions.

 

 

Mount Jump South Zone Closure Extended

In consultation with state wildlife biologists, Parks and Recreation ha... more

Uncovering the Hidden Gems of Missoula: The Best Things to Do in the City

In the Montana metropolis of Missoula, there is something for everyone.... more

Essential Pet Toys and Accessories for A New Dog and How to Find a Store Near You

This article will help you choose the best products for your pet, based... more

5 Things to Consider Before Taking Your Dog to the Mountains With You

Make sure you've considered the following five points to ensure your dog's safety while in the mountains with you.... more

The Dos and Don’ts of Taking Your Dog Camping: What You Need to Know

Here are some dos and don’ts to keep in mind as you draw closer to your next adventure with Fido.... more

Outdoor Activities you Do With Your Pet in Missoula

Tucked away into a peaceful corner of the Rockies, the pet-friendly city of Missoula offers plenty of outdoor activities you can do with your pet. ... more

Top Benefits of CBD Dog Treats

Giving your dog good CBD treats from brands like holistapet helps keep your pet healthy. Here are some of the benefits of healthy doggy snacks.... more

6 Life-Changing Hacks for Cat Owners

There are many gadgets and little tricks which can help you to raise your cat as easily as possible. ... more

6 Tips for Keeping Your Dog Happy and Healthy

For most people, dogs are a part of the family, and we do everything we can to look after them. Here are some top tips to help you take care of your beloved pet:... more

How to Deal With Your Pet’s Separation Anxiety

Pets have always been a part of our lives ever since cats and dogs were domesticated thousands of years ago in order to help with vermin control and hunting.... more

Pet Nutrition: The Do’s and Don’ts of Dog Food

Owning a dog can improve the quality of your life, can decrease your blood pressure, your cholesterol levels, and your feelings of loneliness.... more

CBD Dog Foods and its Regulations

Here are some regulations on CBD dog foods.... more

6 Ways to Make Your New Cat Feel at Home

Here are 6 helpful ways to make sure that your new cat feels comfortable with you at home.... more

Traveling with Your Dog? Check out These Pawsome Stays!

Spending time with man's best friend, which may have tried services like https://www.canine-by-design.com/programs/board-and-train/, is never a dull moment. The enjoyment we get from spending time with our ... more

Did You Know That There Are More Options Than Just Insurance Pet Care Solutions?

When it comes to pet care, we automatically think about pet insurance plans. But several other approaches can help you tend for your furry friend’s needs.... more

Top 10 Hikes Around Missoula

By JEFF JONES - An insider's perspective of the top 10 hikes in and around Missoula, Montana.... more

5 Common HOA Rules You Don’t Know About

Here are a few rules that are common among HOA's across the country.... more

An Essay on a Bird Feeder

By BRUCE AUCHLY - All animals that spend at least part of their lives in Montana have three strategies for coping with winter: leave, go to sleep or tough it out.... more

5th Annual Doggie Dash Expo and Fun Run May 15

Missoula Parks & Recreation and Missoula Animal Control invite you and your four-legged buddy to the 5th annual Doggie Dash pet expo and fun run on Sun., May 15, at Silver Park. ... more

5th Annual Doggie Dash Fun Run Slated for May 15

Missoula Parks & Rec and Missoula Animal Control invite you and your four-legged buddy to the 5th annual Doggie Dash Pet Expo and Fun Run on Sun. May 15, at Silver Park. ... more

ATTENTION Missoula Dogs: Bark for Life Event Oct 3, at Silver Park

By PAM VOTH - Missoula Dogs, grab your leash and your human and let’s have some fun at the Bark for Life event on Oct 3 at Silver Park!... more

Preventing Conflicts with Bears

By JOLEEN TADEJ - Already this year, bears have traveled the river corridors – Sun, Marias, Dearborn and Teton – east from the Rocky Mountain Front looking for natural foods.... more

City Plans Fireworks Law Enforcement, Asks for Citizen Cooperation

By TRAVISH WELSH - City leaders ask for cooperation from citizens to help keep Missoula safe in a period of extremely dry and hot weather during the Independence Day holiday.... more

Leave Young Wildlife Where You Find Them

By TOM PALMER - Remember this advice if you see newborn wild animals: "If you care, leave them there." Do not move or attempt to feed newborn wildlife.... more

International Wildlife Film Festival April 18-25, 2015

Missoula plays host to the highly anticipated International Wildlife Film Festival (IWFF) from April 18-25 at Missoula’s newly restored Roxy Theater.... more

Pet Fest to Feature Davis’ Muttley Crew from America’s Got Talent!

The 9th Annual Pet Fest will celebrate International Homeless Animal’s Day at the Adams Center, Sat., Aug. 16, from 10am-3pm and features Davis' Muttley Crew from America's Got Talent.... more

It’s Hot Outside: How Animals Cope With the Heat

By BRUCE AUCHLY - Tales and Trails is a twice monthly natural history column. This week's topic: How animals cope with hot weather. If they don’t stay cool, they die.... more

Sheep Grazing on City Open Space, Pet Owners Asked to Help Protect Herd

By BECKY GOODRICH-Missoula Parks and Recreation is asking dog owners to watch for sheep grazing on City open space, and leash their pets when hiking near the herd. ... more

Doggie Dash Expo and Fun Run: Sunday, May 5, McCormick Park

Join Missoula Parks & Recreation and Missoula City-County Animal Control for the 2nd annual Missoula celebration for your four-legged buddy on Sunday, May 5, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at McCormick Park.... more

Will dogs Rule and Cats Drool? The Bidding War is On!

By PAM VOTH - Will Dogs Rule and Cats Drool? The Bidding War is ON. One year of bragging rights is up for auction. So Jump In Now to Vote Early and Vote Often!... more

Alpine Canine’s Buddy Buses Run on Time So Dogs Can Run Off-Leash in Missoula

By PAM VOTH - Alpine Canine offers hikes to over 200 Missoula dogs per week with hikes tailored to every type of dog. All hikes include pick-up and drop off in one of Alpine Canine’s buses or van.... more

Sit Happens Training and Footloose Montana Present Trap Release Workshop

By PAM VOTH - Important Trap Release workshop presented at SIT Happens by Footloose Montana, March 23 from 1-3pm. Learn important and life-saving techniques and hands on practice for releasing a pet from a tra... more

“True Wolf” Packed the House for Its Premiere at the Wilma

"True Wolf" the Missoula-made documentary opened to a packed house in Missoula. Additional showings nightly through Thursday July 5th.... more

“True Wolf” Missoula-Made Documentary Opens at the Wilma 6/29, 7pm

"True Wolf" the new feature documentary directed by Missoula's own award-winning filmmaker, Rob Whitehair, will make its Montana premiere at the Wilma in Missoula this Friday, June 29 at 7pm.... more

For Writing Inspiration, Try the Bark Park

By BOB WIRE - Sometimes a writer needs inspiration. Sometimes he needs solitude. Sometimes he needs to commune with nature. For me, all this can be found at the dog park.... more

Introducing the West’s Best Nest Osprey Webcam

Make it Missoula, SuzAnne and Sterling Miller of Dunrovin Ranch, and the University of Montana’s Wildlife Biology Program present The West’s Best Nest osprey webcam.... more

The Healing Power of Passion – and Horses

By SUZANNE MILLER - As I recover from back-to-back surgeries, the images of me with my horses that form in my head are my lifeline back to health and inspiration to heal.... more

Pugs in Duds: Not Just Fashion Week at Missoula’s Mountain Pugs Club

By PAM VOTH - Sundays are fun days if you’re a pug living in Missoula. That’s when the Mountain Pugs Club converge in the Bark Park on Jacob’s Island to play and mingle.... more

Dogtown Without Cats

By DANIELLE LATTUGA - Three weeks ago, we said goodbye to our cat. Two of our three dogs have never known life without Minx, until now.... more

Soup & Fiddlesticks: A Simple Evening with Friends & Happy Dogs

By PAM VOTH - It was a simple congregation of good friends and happy dogs.... more

I Heart Horses

By DANIELLE LATTUGA - Horsewomen exhibit a fine balance of independence and grace. ... more

It’s Not the Snow in the Dog, It’s the Dog in the Snow

By DANIELLE LATTUGA - What makes dogs love the snow? Something is altered in them—this energy propels them forth, regardless of short legs and snowballs.... more

New Year’s Resolutions: Horse$#%@!

By DANIELLE LATTUGA - Smokey the horse is the reason I resolved to slow down. A resolution is a very personal thing. Shouldn’t it reflect where you are at one crystal moment in your life?... more

Dogsitting: It’s Not All Beer and Kibbles

By BOB WIRE - Ahh, on cold mornings like this, nothing feels better on the bare feet than a wood floor in a gas-heated home. Until you step in the dog vomit.... more

A Kind of Winter Hush

By SUZANNE MILLER - For the horses of Dunrovin Ranch, winter is a true time of rest. They're released from the demands of pleasing people and can settle into the joy of being horses.... more

How To Thank A Horse

By DANIELLE LATTUGA - How do you thank a horse? It depends on the horse. That’s the first thing you should know. I thank Smoke every day we are together.... more

Horse Friends – When Friendships are Born of Horses

By SUZANNE MILLER - Friendships among horse aficionados can be very different from those centered on other endeavors. Horses intensify just about everything.... more

Pet Names, for the Pet

By DANIELLE LATTUGA. My dogs are old, but my youngest canine is an Australian Shepherd. At 10, he typically acts like he is four.... more

Magic Words – for Great Dog Photos

By PAM VOTH. When I arrive at a dog’s home for a photo session, I’m greeted with lots of energy. So, how to get a dog to close her mouth? Say some magic words. ... more

The Dog Days of Missoula’s Pet Ordinance

By DANIELLE LATTUGA--DOGTOWN MISSOULA. We need to get more creative about the “dog issues” that arise in our community. Responsible dog ownership doesn’t seem to be intuitive for a lot of folks. It is a l... more

Cheeto Moment

By PAM VOTH. Dogs know that sometimes when you are looking for something specific, like that tennis ball that just rolled under the couch, you often find something else even more wonderful and marvelous, like a... more

Fireworked – Dogs and Fireworks

By Danielle Lattuga--DOGTOWN MISSOULA. I know, everyone looks forward to 4th of July weekend—well at least most humans in our town do. I really don’t have much use for the rest of it. And those fireworks...... more

Ben Afraid of Thunder

ALL NEW blog by PAM VOTH--DOGTOWN MISSOULA. I approached slowly, and beckoned. He came towards me. “Do you want to go for a ride?” All dogs have magic words that make them happy. Being a Missoula dog, I gu... more

Missoula Dogs About Town

ALL NEW blog by Danielle Lattuga--DOGTOWN MISSOULA. I’ve never known life in Montana without dogs. At 22, I drove a U-haul from Vermont, my white, blue-eyed, punk rock husky riding shotgun. (He was punk rock... more

I Think I’m Gonna Like This Town

ALL NEW blog by PAM VOTH--DOGTOWN MISSOULA. The first time I met Missoula was exactly 3 weeks before I moved here permanently. My plan was just an out-and-back. Just attend the International Wildlife Film Fest... more

Living with Wildlife

Residing in Western Montana means learning to live with wildlife. In Missoula, that often includes sharing your yard with birds, raccoons, skunks, deer, black bears, and even mountain lions. The Montana Depa... more

Pet Licenses

Have pets? City and county ordinances require all dogs four months and older to be licensed. Licenses are timed to run concurrently with dog’s rabies vaccinations. New residents must purchase a dog license... more

Take a Hike

The seemingly endless hiking and backpacking opportunities in and around Missoula offer thousands of miles of trails in wilderness areas, Forest Service lands, and BLM lands. Information on hiking in the bac... more