How Tallahassee’s Puppies in the Pool event gives local dogs a chance to cool off
By Leah Justice
After children return to school and the swimming season winds down, the “dog days” of summer begin for the City of Tallahassee’s Aquatics Division. Every October, Trousdell Aquatics Center, operated by the city, invites 300 pups to swim, splash, and play fetch in the children’s activity pool before it officially closes for the year.
Since 2006, the city has sponsored the weekend-long Puppies in the Pool event, creating a delightful experience for dog owners and their playful pets. Surrounded by hundreds of tennis balls generously provided by the city’s Tennis Division, dogs enjoy making new furry friends, splashing their owners, playing fetch with lifeguards, and showing off their best doggy paddles.
“Nearly two decades ago, our team embraced a growing national trend of aquatic facilities welcoming dogs into pools,” says Ashley Edwards, Director of the City’s Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Affairs Department. “Recognizing our community's love for pets and the dedication of our aquatic staff, we saw an opportunity to create something truly special for Tallahassee. Our department has repeatedly earned national recognition for its innovative and creative approach to amenities, programs, and events, and Puppies in the Pool is a perfect example of this commitment.”
After 18 years of hosting Puppies in the Pool, city officials are eager to share its blueprint, along with essential tips and best practices, in order to help other organizations host a successful and safe event.
Unleashing The Event Details
Puppies in the Pool is a two-day event with five swim sessions per day, capped at 30 dogs per timeslot. Each session is an hour long, with a break in-between to allow time for the first patrons to leave and the next to check in.
The city’s trained lifeguards and aquatic personnel thoroughly enjoy facilitating the event, assisting with check-ins, securing gates, retrieving tennis balls, and interacting with the dogs.
Registration for Puppies in the Pool happens on a first-come, first-served basis, with limited spots available. There are two convenient ways to sign up: on the city’s website or in person at the center. To streamline check-in and encourage pre-registration, participants who provide vet records ahead of the event receive an “Express Puppy Pass” to bypass lines on the event day. Officials charge a small entry fee per dog and per person in accordance with the city’s current pool fees.
Historically, the event has been significantly more popular with the local community’s larger dogs (over 40 pounds). To accommodate the demand, four timeslots are reserved for larger dogs each day, with only one session for dogs less than 40 pounds each day. This can vary by community, so for leaders prepping their first event, they may want to set an equal number of sessions for each dog size and then adapt based on the event’s unique results.
Once the big weekend is announced, Puppies in the Pool is advertised on the city’s social media accounts, website, and broadcast TV station, as well as through a news release emailed to residents and local media. Flyers are also distributed at local dog parks to engage dog owners and pet sitters.
“We look forward to Puppies in the Pool every year and always register early,” says pet owner Shauna Smith. “It’s so fun to see my dog, Keeper, engaging with other pets and chasing the tennis balls and just seeing folks have fun with their fur babies. The lifeguards are so attentive, and I appreciate that Aquatics takes precautions to ensure it’s a safe event.”
Safety First: Keep Tails Wagging And Water Splashing
Safety for both humans and pets is a top priority. For organizations considering a similar event, the following steps ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all attendees.
All dogs must be friendly, remain on a leash when not in the pool, and, of course, always be supervised. As there is another pool on-site that remains open year-round, fencing is placed around the activity pool to keep dogs contained.
To prevent germs from spreading between dogs, aquatic staff members consulted with veterinary staff at the city’s Animal Service Center on dog health requirements. Following their recommendation, proof of current vaccinations for rabies, Bordetella, and one of the following—DAPP, DA2PP, or DHPP—are required for each dog before entering the pool. Dogs must also be at least six months of age, have had a negative fecal test within the past year, and be spayed or neutered.
Aquatic leaders also lower the pool’s chlorination levels in the days before the event to prevent skin irritation for the dogs. After the weekend, the pool is drained, and all features are cleaned and pressure-washed in preparation for the pool’s reopening in the spring.
Due to regulations set by the Florida Department of Health in Leon County, event staff does not allow humans in the pool with the dogs. Leading up to the event, the city’s aquatic division notifies the local health department that the event is occurring and that safety guidelines will be followed.
For any parks and rec leaders planning to host a similar event, Tallahassee city officials strongly recommend consulting local and state health departments for guidelines. Local veterinary clinics or animal rescues are also great resources for pet health information and for helping to spread the word about this fun opportunity for local pets.
Partnering For A “Paws”-itive Impact
The Puppies in the Pool event not only provides tail-wagging fun for dogs and their owners, but also raises funds for local four-legged friends in need. Pets Ad Litem, a local pet advocacy organization, sets up a free dog-washing station for owners after each swim session and accepts donations for the Tallahassee Animal Service Center. Local students from Florida State University’s College of Law, Tallahassee State College, and area high schools eagerly volunteer for this fundraiser.
“Puppies in the Pool is a great way to integrate these students, giving them a chance to interact with the animals and support the animal shelter,” says Pets Ad Litem Founder & CEO Ralph DeMeo. “Every year, we see hundreds of dogs each weekend and probably wash half of them!”
When hosting a similar event, consider like-minded partnership opportunities with a local, pet-focused nonprofit or animal-rescue organization. They can add a missing element like dog washing while raising funds for and spreading awareness about their mission. If the nonprofit or rescue group can’t be on-site, or if fundraising is restricted by department policies, other partnership options, like a pet supplies donation bin on-site, can be a good alternative that will still engage this important audience.
Making A Splash Year-Round
In addition to Puppies in the Pool, the City of Tallahassee hosts various classes and events across its seven aquatic centers throughout the year, such as Dive-in Movies, water aerobics, swim lessons, summer camps, swim team meets, and more. The Aquatics Division also provides American Red Cross-certified lifeguard training on-site, ensuring everyone—whether on two legs or four—can enjoy a safe swimming experience. Thanks to heated pools and Florida’s warmer-than-average temperatures, the city can keep two pools open year-round for classes, lap swims, and recreational swimming.
“Puppies in the Pool is one of our favorite events each year—it’s not only loved by the community, but our lifeguards and staff really look forward to it, too,” says Aquatics Supervisor Leslie Adams. “We do our best to provide some type of swimming opportunity for everyone in the community and are proud to include our canine friends and their families. This event is such a great way to end our busy season.”
To learn more about the City of Tallahassee Aquatics Division and its programs and amenities, visit Talgov.com/Aquatics.
Leah Justice is a Public Information Specialist with the City of Tallahassee, overseeing communications and marketing efforts for a variety of programs and events for the City’s Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Affairs (PRNA) Department. In her role, she develops creative print, video, and social media campaigns to support lifeguard recruitment, youth and adult sports registration, athletics job recruitment, pet adoption events, community center recognition, and more. She enjoys working closely with the PRNA team to ensure residents are informed and inspired to participate in activities that enrich the quality of life in Tallahassee.