Dog Friendly Durango Facts
For more information contact:
Durango Area Tourism Office, 802 Main Avenue, Durango, CO 81301, 800-525-8855, www.durango.org
Media contact: Theresa Blake, theresa@treehousepr.com, 970-764-7783
Durango is a doggone friendly town!
Four-legged visitors are always welcome in this historic Colorado mountain town
Durango, Colorado--This town is truly one for the dogs! Durango, Colorado and the surrounding area boast miles of trails to hike, rivers to swim and an outdoorsy, dog-friendly atmosphere. When you’re ready to escape the dog-eat-dog world of the big city, Durango is a top choice for you and your four-legged friend. According to the Durango Humane Society, over 1,000 dogs are registered in the City of Durango, likely a conservative estimate of how many dogs actually call this town home.
Durango confirmed its four-pawed fetish by opening the Durango Dog Park in December 2003. Located at the base of Smelter Mountain on the banks of the Animas River, this 24-acre park allows dogs to run, roam and swim off the leash.
“There’s no better dog-loving town,” says Patrick Meiering, president and founder of Zuke’s Performance Pet Nutrition. “In Durango, dogs are an important part of everything people do.” Zuke’s found Durango so dog friendly it relocated its sales and marketing offices from Albuquerque to Durango in 2001. The company’s line of healthy, natural dog and cat treats is sold in natural foods grocery stores, specialty pet shops and outdoor stores around the United States and in five countries. Durango is also home to Ruff Puppies Collars; individually hand crafted leather dog collars.
Four-legged friends are also celebrated in our public art. Look for bronze canine sculptures, created by local artist Patsy Davis, scattered around town. “Napoleon” a jumping Labrador Retriever welcomes you to the Labyrinth Meditation Garden at Mercy Regional Medical Center (look for the hiding duckling), “Cash” is an appropriately-named Labrador Retriever in front of Pine River Valley Bank, and “Semper Fi,” prominently located in front of the Durango Police Department, features a German Shepherd and pays homage to search and rescue dogs. Check out more of Patsy Davis's work here.
Well-behaved dogs (and their owners) can visit a number of Durango businesses for a treat including: Jitters’ Java drive-thru coffee kiosk on the corner of 8th St. and Camino del Rio, Maria’s Bookshop and Southwest Sound. Durango Bagel treats your pup to a slice of Canadian bacon. When strolling downtown, your pooch will appreciate the numerous water bowls outside retail shops.
Any local dog will tell you that the Animas River trail, the Horse Gulch trail system, Vallecito Lake, the Colorado Trail and the other 2,000 miles of trails in the area are great places to hike and run. When it’s time for a cleanup before heading for home, Durango has a self-service dog wash and numerous spas and salons.
If you ride the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad or want to adventure for the day without your dog, daycare is available at Healthy Hounds and Fat Cats, Willow Tree, Dogs Rock and Paws ‘n Playtime.
Purgatory Resort hosts their annual Mutt 'n Strut benefiting Annie's Orphans. Free doggie bandana for participants in a fun filled 5k for the whole family and Fido too! Post race contests, pet parade, and the 2013 event featured a demonstration by Eric and Angelyne, the amazing deaf cattle dog. Eric shared their inspiring story of compassion, persistence and hard work as they overcome obstacles and challenges.
When you’re dog-tired and looking for a place to spend the night, many local hotels, motels and inns will extend a warm welcome to both you and your pet:
Adobe Inn (970-247-2743)
Apple Orchard Inn (970-247-0751)
Best Western Inn & Suites (970-247-3251)
Budget Inn (970-247-5222)
Caboose Motel (970-247-1191)
Days End (970-259-3311)
Double Tree Hotel (970/259-6580)
Durango Downtown Inn (970-247-5393)
Iron Horse Inn (970-259-1010)
Purgatory Lodge (800-525-0892)
Quality Inn (970-259-5373)
Residence Inn (970-259-6200)
Rochester Hotel (970-385-1920)
Siesta Motel (970-247-0741)
Spanish Trails Inn (970-247-4173)
Super 8 (970-259-0590)
Travelodge (970/247-1741)
Strater Hotel (970-247-4431)
At Vallecito Lake, the “Lake in the Little Valley” surrounded by millions of acres of San Juan National Forest and located just 22 miles northeast of Durango, pets are welcomed at:
Bear Paw Lodge Cabins (970-884-2508)
Croll Cabins (970-884-2083)
Eagle’s Nest (970-884-2866)
Elk Point Lodge & Stables (970-884-2482)
High Tree Cabin (970-884-7438)
Lone Wolf Lodge (970-884-0414)
Pine River Lodge (970-884-2563)
Campgrounds are usually very accommodating to pet owners. Lightner Creek Campground and Cabins has taken the welcome further by creating a “Pet Park,” a fenced-in play area complete with an obstacle course.
Here is a list of dog-related services including doggie day care, veterinary hospitals, kennels, groomers and pet supply stores in the Durango, CO area:
Groomers
Dog Gone Gorgeous (970-259-2949)
Puppy Love Kennels (970-259-3043)
Dogs Rock Custom Canine Day Care (970-946-2813)
Wagging Tails Salon (970-884-2037)
Pam & Best Friends (970-259-3119)
Valley Feed & Ranch (970-884-2400)
Kennels
* Boarding available for tourists riding the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
Akunow Kennels (970-259-8849)
Pampered Pets (970-883-2220)
Custom Animal Services (970-759-6724)
Paws ‘n Playtime (970-422-8019)*
Dogs Rock Custom Canine Day Care (970-946-2813)*
Pet Mania (970-946-6717)
Durango Dogs (970-382-2542)
Puppy Love Kennels (970-259-3043)
Durango Pet Resort (970-259-7387)
Walkin Paws (970-759-5464)
Happy Paws Pet Spa (970-259-7917)
Willow Tree Kennels (970-259-0018)*
Healthy Hounds and Fat Cats (970-375-9700)*
Supply Stores
Basin Co-Op (970-247-3066)
Healthy Hounds and Fat Cats (970-375-9700)
Creature Comforts (970-247-2748)
Kindness Animal Hospital (970-259-3788)
Durango Animal Hospital (970-247-3174)
Pam and Best Friends (970-259-3119)
For The Birds (970-382-9396)
Pet Haus (970-259-2564)
Happy Paws Pet Spa (970-259-7917)
Riverview Animal Hospital (970-247-8545)
Valley Feed & Ranch (970-884-2400)
Zukes (970-247-5455)
Veterinary Hospitals
Riverview Animal Hospital (970-247-8545)
Advanced Equine (970-759-1310)
Durango Animal Hospital (970-247-4701)
Home Sweet Home Veterinary Clinic (970-385-4700)
Alpine Animal Hospital (970-247-5771)
Kindness Animal Hospital (970-259-3788)
Aspentree Animal Caring Center (970-382-0100)
Southwest Veterinary (970-247-9414)
Baker's Bridge (970-247-4701)
Bayfield Animal Hospital (970-884-2001)
Veterinary Acupuncture (970-385-7787)
