Los Angeles County, California — Los Angeles County’s public pools are preparing for an unusual end to the summer swimming season, and this time, humans are being asked to stay out of the water. On Saturday, five county pools will be transformed into giant doggy splash zones for the annual “Pooches in the Pool” event.
The playful tradition gives local dogs one final chance to cool off, paddle around and make a mess in the water before the pools are drained and cleaned for the year.
Dogs Get the Pools to Themselves
The annual event is being organized by the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation and LA County Animal Care and Control.
Instead of closing out the season with one final human swim, participating pools will welcome four-legged guests for an evening of swimming and poolside fun.
For dog owners, it offers a chance to let their pets experience something they normally would not get to enjoy: taking over a public swimming pool.
People can remain on the pool deck to watch, encourage and photograph their pets, but the county is making one rule especially clear — the water is exclusively for dogs during the event.
Five Locations Will Host the Event
Dog owners across the county will have several locations to choose from.
The participating pools are:
- City Terrace Pool in East Los Angeles
- El Cariso Pool in Sylmar
- Don Knabe Park in Cerritos
- George Lane Pool in Lancaster
- Ted Watkins Park in Los Angeles
The event is designed to give dogs a final opportunity to enjoy the pools before they undergo their regular end-of-season cleaning and maintenance.
Small Dogs Go First
The county has divided the swimming sessions according to dog size.
Small dogs will have access to the pools from 5 to 6 p.m., giving smaller breeds the first opportunity to splash around. The second session, reserved for larger dogs, runs from 6 to 7 p.m.
The schedule gives dogs their own designated swimming periods and helps organizers manage the number of animals in the water at any given time.
For owners, it also means checking the schedule before arriving so their pets are ready for the appropriate session.
Dogs Need Vaccinations and Registration
Although the event is designed to be fun, organizers have several safety requirements for participating pets. Dogs must have current vaccinations, and owners are required to bring a completed registration form.
The paperwork and county rules are available through Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation channels, allowing owners to review the requirements before bringing their pets to the event.
Making sure vaccination records and registration are handled ahead of time can help prevent problems when families arrive at the pool.
A Unique End to the Summer Pool Season
“Pooches in the Pool” gives the county’s public swimming facilities an unusual send-off before the pools are drained, cleaned and prepared for the next season.
For many dogs, the event could be the closest thing to a traditional summer pool party — complete with swimming, splashing and plenty of wet fur.
While owners will have to remain on the sidelines, their dogs will get to enjoy the water as the stars of the final swim of the season.
The event also offers families a chance to spend time outdoors with their pets and celebrate the end of summer in a way that is decidedly different from an ordinary trip to the pool.
So, if your dog loves water, Saturday could be the perfect opportunity to let them make one last splash before the pools close for the season.
Would you take your dog to a pool party like this? Tell us in the comments — and let us know whether your pup would jump straight into the water or stay safely on the sidelines!
