Welcome to Knoxville, the Southeast’s “DogTown USA”

Knoxville is the most dog-friendly city in the Southeast, according to Dog Fancy Magazine, the world’s most widely read dog magazine. Knoxville was given the “DogTown USA” designation and has grown into one of the best communities for pets thanks to organizations like Knoxville’s Most Pet Friendly Community Committee, a group that includes PetSafe, Young-Williams Animal Center, the University of Tennessee (UT) College of Veterinary Medicine, the City of Knoxville, Knox County and the Knoxville News Sentinel.

“How well a community takes care of its animals is a sign of how well the city takes care of other humanitarian concerns as well,” said Knoxville Mayor Daniel Brown. “With this dog-friendly designation, Knoxville should be very proud.”

With support from the community, the Most Pet Friendly Community Committee has made extensive strides in advancing the pet-friendly movement in Knoxville.

Not only can Knoxville boast many breed rescue groups, animal shelters and spay/neuter clinics, it’s also on the cutting edge of veterinary and pet friendly practices. Knoxville is home to one of the most prestigious veterinary programs in the nation, the UT College of Veterinary Medicine, which is at the forefront of veterinary science and has created education classes for the public to ensure proper care for pets. The opening of the Young-Williams Animal Village, an adoption and spay/neuter center, more than doubled the number spay/neuter procedures able to be performed in Knoxville.

More and more restaurants welcome pets on their patios since a city ordinance was changed to allow dogs on restaurant patios in Knoxville. For a full list of restaurants where dogs are allowed on patios, visit the City of Knoxville website at www.ci.knoxville.tn.us/dogspatios/.

Knoxville currently has four off-leash dog parks open to the public, and two more are in development through a $500,000 donation from PetSafe. In addition to the off-leash parks, Knoxville Parks and Recreation offers more than 41 miles of greenways and more than 80 parks for patrons to enjoy with their canine companions.

Knoxville continues to become more pet-centric every day, hosting many pet friendly events such as Mardi Growl, Bark in the Park, Doggie Date Night, Yappy Hour and Movies on Market Square. The first Morris Animal Foundation K-9 Cancer Walk in Knoxville, sponsored by PetSafe, was held in September 2011 and raised more than $48,000 for dog health studies.

For more information, visit www.mostpetfriendlycommunity.com.

About PetSafe

Based in Knoxville, Tennessee, PetSafe is the industry leader and prime innovator in the development of safe, reliable and technologically superior pet products. PetSafe introduced the first do-it-yourself electronic fence to the pet market in 1991 and the first wireless fence to the market in 1998. Over the years, PetSafe’s product line-up has expanded to include more than 400 items, including: bark control systems, remote training equipment, electronic containment systems, pet doors and a growing line of lifestyle products including toys and treats.