HELP US BUILD A NEW DOG PARK!

MESQUITE, NV (Leisure Services Dept.) – The canine population of Mesquite is growing right along with the overall population boom here.  Not only do people need a safe place to exercise and socialize, so do dogs! 

To meet public interest and need, the City of Mesquite has proposed the creation of a new dog park at another location.  The proposed dog park is a joint project of the Animal Control Division and Athletics & Leisure Services Department of the City of Mesquite. 

To help raise funds to build the dog park, the Mesquite Animal Shelter is participating in this year’s National Strut Your Mutt, a fundraiser sponsored by Best Friends Animal Society. The shelter’s goal is to raise $25,000 during the event and is asking for the community to contribute to the dog park project.

“If everyone in Mesquite were to contribute the equivalent of $2 per person, we’d easily reach our goal,” said Joe Macias, Animal Control Manager.

The park would be available to Mesquite dog owners to provide exercise and socialization for their pets as well as to help save lives at the shelter by providing a place for shelter dogs learn positive interactions with people and other pets that will help them be ready for adoption. 

Having recreational opportunities to share with a pet dog has been shown to increase opportunities to exercise, get outside, and socialize. According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, regular walking or playing with pets can decrease blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and triglyceride levels.  Pets can help manage loneliness and depression by providing companionship, and studies have shown that the bond between people and their pets can increase fitness, lower stress, and bring happiness to their owners. 

“The new park will be a welcome addition to our wonderful recreational opportunities and amenities here in Mesquite,” said Nicholas Montoya, Director of Athletics and Leisure Services.

Public dog parks allow dogs to get ample off-leash exercise and social activity with other dogs. When dogs get the physical and mental exercise they need, humans are able to notice a decrease in the level of troublesome behavior from their dogs which will benefit society as well, according to the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT).

The City of Mesquite officially designated the Animal Shelter as a “No Kill” facility last September.  The shelter is a member of the Best Friends Network which is comprised of hundreds of public and private shelters, rescue groups, spay/neuter organizations and other animal welfare groups in all 50 states that are committed to saving the lives of homeless pets through effective adoption, spay/neuter and intake prevention programs.

“We are proud to be working with Best Friends toward the goal of taking this nation no-kill by 2025,” Macias added. “Working together along with the Athletics & Leisure Services Department as well we can accomplish great things for our local community and especially our dogs and cats.” 

This huge fundraising effort started in June and will wrap up on October 16 with an open house at the shelter during which the public will be invited to learn more about the lifesaving work there as well as the wide variety of animal services available in the community.

Business sponsors of the fundraising effort are the Eureka Casino…

How You Can Help
 
An online donation platform is available.  To donate:

1. Go to strutyourmutt.org
2. Click REGISTER
3. Select the event “Strut Your Mutt Day – 10/26”
4. Click REGISTER again on this page.
5. Click JOIN A TEAM.
6. Click JOIN AS A NEW PARTICIPANT.
7. Search for Mesquite Animal Shelter and Adoption Center
8. Follow the prompts to join our team.
9. Ask your family and friends to get involved!

To donate by check:
Checks can be made out to “Mesquite Animal Shelter” with “Strut Your Mutt” in the memo line and can be dropped off at the shelter at 795 Hardy Way or sent via U.S. Mail to Mesquite Animal Shelter, 695 Mayan Circle, Mesquite, NV 89027.

Questions can be emailed to strutyourmuttmesquite@gmail.com.

For more information about this event and other programs please down load the app, it’s available for iOS or Android devices at http://tour.mesquitenv.gov/.  Download it today and discover more of Mesquite!
 
For more information on this and other programs please contact the Department of Athletics & Leisure Services at (702) 346-8732. Register for youth and adult programs online at: www.mesquitenv.gov. For more information and to stay connected via social media, our Facebook Page is: www.facebook.com/MesquiteNVRecreation or at the Administrative Offices located at 100 W. Old Mill Road.