Man with dogNow that we are in the last few weeks of summertime, you might think the leisure days are over for a while… Wrong! There’s no need to stash away the fun. There are plenty of cool, pet friendly things to do this fall with your family and fur friends.

Whether you are a pet owner Roseville, Loomis, or another community in Placer County, we are blessed with loads of autumnal beauty and good times. So, there’s no need for your calendar to be blank – fill it up with some fall fun.

Placer County: Five Pet Friendly Autumn Activities  

Your friends at Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital want to encourage you to keep on enjoying the outdoor events and other pet welcoming activities. So, we’ve come up with a list of some of our favorite things to do when sweater weather rolls around.

  1. Farmers’ Markets – There’s something about farmers’ markets that just feels like autumn. And, many of them allow well-behaved, leashed dogs to stroll through the booths and aisles. For more exercise, consider walking your dog to a local farmers’ market. And, it’s also a great activity to do with a fellow dog owning friend or two.
  2. Fall foliage – Tahoe National Forest, Hidden Falls Regional Park, Page Meadow…these are the places to be as the weather turns crisp and the leaves turn spectacular shades of crimson and gold. Make a family day of it by bringing a Frisbee and some picnic deliciousness. And, your dog will love to hit the trails, catch a ball, or simply enjoy their own picnic fare as you welcome in the coming season.
  3. Historical parks – Since so many events are off limits to Fido (and that stinks), it’s nice to know that you can take in a bit of history with your best friend at Columbia State Historic Park or Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, where you can take a ride on a vintage steam locomotive (with your pet – cool!). Both of these parks offer wonderful educational experiences for the whole family as you learn more about the history of the region.
  4. Fundraising for animals – If you missed Woofstock 2015 in August, you may want to grab the leash and your favorite fur friend for September’s Dogfest Walk ‘n Roll, a community dog walk in support of Canine Companions for Independence. Or, if you are really feeling philanthropic, you can organize your own neighborhood dog walk or outdoor fundraiser in support of an animal charity of your choice. It could be a walk, 5K marathon, or even a fundraising fall festival, complete with a canine kissing booth.
  5. Costume parties (for pets) – With autumn comes that spooky time of year, Halloween. Instead of dealing with the hassle of going out this year, why not create a pet friendly theme party, encouraging friends and family to bring their own little masqueraded minions. Hand out prizes, like gift certificates for the pet spa or cool toys, for the best or more creative pet costumes. Throw in some backyard games and BBQ grub to keep the human ghouls entertained and fed. (Don’t forget to keep pets away from people food and beverages.)

Just because we are heading into the busiest time of year doesn’t mean the leisure time has to come to a halt. When you mix the cool, crisp weather, some interesting destinations, and fellow pet owners, it’s anything but dull.

And, whenever you are in doubt about the pet policy at an event or destination, don’t forget to call and inquire. It will save you and your pet the disappointment and allow you to plan an even better alternative.