LEAVE ONLY PAW PRINTS®
WHY LEAVE ONLY PAW PRINTS?
California’s legendary, dog-friendly landscapes draw millions of pet parents and pups every year. From dipping paws and feet into alpine lakes along Sierra trails, to playing fetch in the neighborhood park, the Golden State promises extraordinary adventures.
The opportunity to explore California’s beaches, forests, trails and public lands is a privilege that dog parents must continually earn and protect. Leave Only Paw Prints® provides resources to help us travel lightly and preserve access for our four-legged family members.
GOOD FOR YOU AND YOUR DOG
Leave Only Paw Prints® is a set of values and a way of life. We take a holistic approach to protecting pups and park access across California, suggesting simple tips for thoughtful dog travel. In addition to minimizing impact on wildlife and natural habitats, we create a safety net for pups. That’s especially important when you visit unfamiliar trails and beaches.
Protecting both your dog and the environment is easy. Check out our six Leave Only Paw Prints values as you plan your next adventure—whether you’re walking down the block or trekking in new terrain.
GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Dog restrictions can get confusing. For example, we asked our friends at DogTrekker.com, the platform for pup-friendly travel in California, why some beaches close when snowy plovers are around. It turns out that Pacific coast populations of this small shorebird have been declining for years, due to development pressures and habitat disturbances. The mere sight of dogs can scare snowy plovers from their nest, endangering eggs, chicks and adult birds alike.
We all play a role in protecting rare species and delicate habitats. Click to learn more about these protections throughout California.
Resources FOR PET PARENTS
Many of California’s parks and public lands welcome dogs and their people—especially when visitors follow Leave Only Paw Prints values. Whether you’re a longtime pup parent or just rescued your first furry friend, our educational materials help clarify your dog-parent rights and responsibilities. We also dish on dog training, dog health and safety, and dog-friendly California travel.
Want to park-hop with your pup? Find clever training tips? Deal with ticks or rattlesnakes? Learn why Western Snowy Plovers receive so much attention? We can help. Click “Learn More” for our current downloads and visit our blog for timely updates.
NEW DOG PARENT?
Just picked up a puppy, middle-aged adult or senior dog from one of California’s great adoption and rescue organizations? Read on for resources that will give you a leg up on dog-friendly travel in California and beyond.
NEW TO CALIFORNIA?
Are you a frequent pet-traveler planning your first California adventure? Check out the Golden State’s amazing, dog-friendly destinations, from sun-splashed beaches, majestic mountains and stunning deserts, to the scenic Gold Country settings that sparked the largest mass migration in American history.
VETERAN DOG PARENT?
Help us preserve and protect dog-travel privileges by setting a good example for others. And remember, even veteran dog travelers can learn new tricks! Our friends at DogTrekker.com are happy to share inspiration gathered from more than 250 collective years of traveling with their pups.
DESTINATION PARTNERS WHO SHARE OUR VALUES
LEARN WITH US
Please join us in our journey to protect the welfare of our parks and our pups. Subscribe here! We won’t share your info, and we’ve got a strict no-spam policy.
Take the Leave Only Paw Prints® Pledge
Please join other DogTrekkers in our ongoing journey to protect California’s legendary landscapes, using Leave Only Paw Prints values. DogTrekker.com and Leave Only Paw Prints® have a strict no-spam policy and will never sell, rent, or distribute your information in any way to anyone.