By Sarah Hoban
Americans love their dogs — and they often love to bring them along when they are out and about, so a pet-friendly approach can be a boost to a business district.
Consider Warrensburg, Missouri, for example. The town lays claim to be the birthplace of the phrase “man’s best friend,” and Warrensburg Main Street works to make downtown a pleasant place for pooches.
Dog-friendly businesses are identified by door clings; sidewalks are dotted with branded water bowls and doggie bag stations. Promotions include farmers market Dog Days, with pet-focused vendors, and a Fourth of July pet parade.
Warrensburg is one of a number of towns across the country that have rolled out dog-friendly events and features in their downtowns and were recently profiled in Main Street America’s blog. Other examples are:
The Pet Mayor program in Starkville, Mississippi. The program is a fundraiser for Starkville Main Street; pet owners can nominate their dogs (and cats, too) for election and collect donations to earn votes. In 2023, the program generated $14,000 in just three weeks.
Deadwood, South Dakota’s, K-9 Keg Pull is a winter fundraiser; dogs of all sizes race, pulling empty kegs and other containers on a snow-covered track.
Franklin, Tennessee, offers a “Pets Welcome” business program. Downtown Franklin Association partnered with Better Cities for Pets, a program backed by Mars Petcare and in use in other cities around the country. Participating businesses get a toolkit with materials to help make their businesses more pet-friendly, including a code of conduct and behavior management tips.
Visit the blog at https://bit.ly/4ewdugP for more details and examples.
