Osoyoos is a very dog-friendly destination.
Your pup can play at one of our many dog beaches, or lounge around the pet-friendly hotel.
Osoyoos welcomes dogs and their owners! Soaring summer temperatures do make it a challenge to keep Spot (or Fido or Fifi) entertained, cool and comfortable. And sometimes, some restrictions do apply, whether on beaches or accommodation. Advance inquiries and preparations are the key for a happy pet holiday!
An off-leash dog park next to Osoyoos Secondary School on the West Bench is a fully enclosed former ball diamond where dogs of all sizes can run freely. Parking is available.
We strive to make Osoyoos a dog friendly town but we do have some restrictions with particular breeds. The following breeds are required to wear a muzzle when off their property.
• Pit Bull
• Pit Bull Terrier
• American Pit Bull Terrier
• Pit Bull Cross
• Staffordshire or American Bull Terrier
• Terrier Cross (only applies if the cross includes pit bull)
• Mix Breed (only applies if the mix includes pit bull)
A fine will be imposed if a Restricted Dog is found off their property without a muzzle or is not properly contained in an enclosure on the dog’s property, the dog owner will be subject to a fine of $500. For more information: http://osoyoos.ca/content/animal-control-licensing.
Puppy Love
When summer sizzles, keep your canine cool in four dog-friendly swimming areas. All of these locations have washrooms and parking areas. In consideration of other visitors, dogs are only permitted in these four swimming areas and are not allowed to enter the water or be present on public beaches.
Many hotels allow pets, but please check in advance with individual hotels for restrictions and policies. Note that there may be an additional fee for pets and some won’t allow you to leave a pet unattended in a room. Three hotels are certified by Pets Can Stay (www.petscanstay.com). These are the Watermark Beach Resort, Best Western Plus Sunrise Inn and Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort and Spa. The Pets Can Stay website lists 14 other accommodations in Osoyoos that are pet friendly, but are not certified.
With summer temperatures often climbing well into the 30s, a pet left in a car can be seriously harmed or killed in minutes – even if the car is parked in the shade and windows are left open. Even tying up an animal outside with water can be stressful for a pet in hot weather. Hot pavement can also hurt a dog’s feet. Dog walkers and dog sitter services are available. For more information, inquire at one of the pet businesses in town.
South Valley Veterinary Hospital is located off Highway 97 in Osoyoos north of the Highway 3 junction. Mutts on Main, which does dog grooming, is located on Highway 3 on the east side of Osoyoos. There are no kennels within the Town of Osoyoos, but there are several in nearby communities including Little Green Farm Pet Hotel and Springlea Kennels, both near Oliver. Space is limited and especially during peak months, you are advised to book well in advance. There also are kennels north in Penticton and beyond.
Tips
Kristy Roby of Mutts on Main offers some further tips for dog owners visiting Osoyoos:
• Have your dog’s hair cut and have your dog on medication for ticks and fleas, especially early in the summer when ticks are around.
• Keep your dog hydrated.
• Rinse your dog with clean water after it swims in the lake and before it dries.
• Ideally, make arrangements for pet care before you arrive if you can’t be with your dog throughout your entire stay.
Dogs are welcome in most other Osoyoos Parks provided they are under control on a leash. An exception is Gyro Park where dog access is restricted.
