If you’re new to the area (or even if you’ve been here awhile) we hope this information will help you and your pets enjoy the Central Coast. We’d love the opportunity to be your first source for medical and general care information for your dogs and cats. We are a Family Veterinary Practice – dedicated to the entire family. We pride ourselves in both medical excellence and compassionate, reassuring service. If we can be of any help, please don’t hesitate to call or stop by!
Licenses
In the state of California, dogs must receive rabies vaccines and be licensed at 4 months of age. Adult dogs moving to SLO County must be licensed within 30 days of arrival. You are not required by law to either vaccinate or license your cats. There is no leash law in SLO County, but most cities require that dogs be leashed. Be sure to check local leash requirements at beaches, parks and hiking trails as most require that dogs be leashed. There are many leash free dog parks in SLO County (see below).
SLO County Department of Animal Services: 805-781-4400
-Licenses for dogs -Report/find lost pets
Medical Care
Infectious Diseases
As is true in all of the US, parvovirus is a significant risk for dogs, and FeLV and FIV pose a risk for kitties. Luckily these are mainly preventable diseases. We are fortunate to have lower levels of infectious diseases on the Central Coast compared to other parts of the country. Ticks may carry Lyme Disease or Ehrlichiosis. Heartworm Disease is seen in North County. We also have low numbers of leptospirosis, Valley Fever, FIP and others.
Parasites
We see intestinal roundworms and hookworms in both dogs and cats – these are transmissible to people so we recommend year round prevention. Fleas and ticks are everywhere. Since tapeworms are carried by fleas, we see these often (they look like rice grains in the stool.)
Foxtails
One of the more common problems we see here that may not be present in other parts of the US, is the foxtail. These sticky grass awns are particularly pesky when the grasses are dry. They will get into eyes, ears and noses, and they can burrow through the skin – most often between the toes.
Lodging/Kennels
- Thousand Hills Pet Resort* 805-596-0112
- Happy Tails Kennel* 805-546-0587
- Lucky Dog Pet Resort 805-929-5825
- Kennels of Springdale* 805-549-9832
- Creekside Pet Boarding* 805-481-7711
*Cats Welcomed
Dog Parks
Arroyo Grande
Elm Street Off-Leash Dog Park — From 101 Freeway, exit at Hwy 227 Grand Ave. Go west on Grand Ave. Turn left on Elm Street. The park
is located at the south end of Elm Street Park. Information: (805) 473-5474 or www.fivecitiesdogpark.org
Atascadero
Heilmann Dog Park — From northbound 101 Freeway, exit at Santa Rosa Avenue in Atascadero. From the offramp, go straight past gas
station to Santa Rosa. Turn right on Santa Rosa Avenue. From southbound 101, exit at Santa Rosa Avenue and turn left over the freeway. Turn right on El Camino Real and go two blocks. Turn left on El Bordo Avenue, across from Post Office. The Dog Park is located at the end of El Bordo on the right hand side. Information: (805) 461-5749 or www.heilmanndogpark.com
Cambria
Cambria Dog Park — Hwy 1 north to Main Street (southern exit) in Cambria. Go north on Main Street. Dog Park is located about .25 mile
on left side of Main Street.
Morro Bay
Jody Giannini Family Dog Park — From Hwy 1, go east on San Jacinto (about 1 mile north of Highway 41). Go to the top of the hill and turn
left on Ironwood. The street ends at the Del Mar Park parking lot. Information: www.morrobaypups.org
Nipomo
Nipomo Dog Park — From 101 Freeway, exit at Tefft Avenue exit. Go north east on Tefft Avenue about 1 mile. Turn right on Pomeroy. The area is located in the south east corner of the park (below the corner of Pomeroy & Tefft). Parking is located below the facility next to the
T-ball field with a path- way from the parking lot up the slope to the gate.
Templeton
Vineyard Dog Park — 1010 Semillon Lane. From 101 Freeway, exit at Vineyard Drive. Go 1.5 miles west. Parking lot is on the left (south) side
of the street. Information: (805)239-4437 or www.vineyarddogpark.org
San Luis Obispo
El Chorro Dog Park — From 101 Freeway, exit at Santa Rosa Avenue (Hwy 1) towards Cuesta College. Turn right on El Chorro Regional Park exit from Hwy 1. Follow signs too leash dog park located at the end of the main park road. Parking lot is located on the left side. Information: www.elchorrodogpark.org or elchorrodogpark@gmail.com
Laguna Lakes Dog Park — From 101 Freeway, exit at Madonna Road. Go west and turn right on Dalidio. Off-leash area is located at the end of the road. The area is not fenced Information: www.slodoggies.com/dogparks.htm
Paso Robles
Sherwood Dog Park – 290 Scott Street. From Spring Street, go east on Niblick Road. Turn right (South) on Creston Road. Go .5 mile and turn left on Scott Street. The park is located adjacent to the Senior Center. Information: (805) 239-9326 www.sherwooddogpark.com
You can also visit SLO-CAL for additional information on