Featured: Groups installing AstroTurf, doggie bag dispensers to make downtown Billings more pet-friendly

Featured Article:

Billings Gazette

August 9, 2019
by Mari Hall
Pet-Friendly Downtown Billings
Cali stands up behind the counter at Billings Army Navy to look at her owner Mitch Bonowitz on Friday. Cali, a 1-1/2-year-old rescue dog, comes to work downtown every day with Bonowitz. CASEY PAGE, Billings Gazette

The Downtown Billings Alliance and Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter are working throughout August to make downtown Billings more pet-friendly.

The DBA plans to collaborate with the Business Improvement District to install pet-friendly fire hydrants, AstroTurf in empty tree wells and doggie bag dispensers throughout the area during the Downtown Dog Days of Summer.

The shelter will also bring a few dogs to the DBA office every Friday in August. Pet owners can also make their own dog toys out of old T-shirts provided by the alliance.

Dog-Friendly Downtown Billings
Outreach coordinator Tiffany Smith, right, of Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter, and Mel Barbour of Downtown Billings Alliance play with puppies up for adoption from YVAS at the DBA office on Friday. The event kicked off the Dog Days of Summer series promoting downtown Billings as a dog-friendly space. CASEY PAGE, Billings Gazette

It’s our entry to making downtown a little more dog friendly,” said Lindsay Richardson, director of events for the DBA. “We’re launching a new page on our website called ‘Downtown Dogs,’ and it will have profiles of dogs downtown, and of course people can submit their dogs if we missed anyone.”

Dog-Friendly Downtown Billings
Marlee, a 3-year-old shih tzu, relaxes in the front window of Montana Vintage Clothing on Friday, August 9, 2019. Marlee goes to work with store owner Sherry Daly every day. CASEY PAGE, Billings Gazette

Richardson said that more people are moving downtown with animals, but there aren’t any animal stores or dog parks in the area.

Animals are still prohibited during organized events in the area, including the Farmer’s Market. The overall goal is to make it walkable and shoppable, and that includes pets, Richardson said.

We do think on a day-to-day basis, dog friendliness is an important thing for downtown to be since a majority of homeowners and residents all have multiple pets.”

Antonia Craighill, owner of Velvet Cravings on North Broadway, said that tenants in the apartments above her business have pets.

Dog Friendly Downtown Billings
Ranch, a 9-week-old adoptable puppy from the “dressing litter” at Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter gets attention from visitors at the Downtown Billings Alliance office on Friday, August 9, 2019. The event kicked off the Dog Days of Summer series promoting downtown Billings as a dog-friendly space. CASEY PAGE, Billings Gazette

Gustavo Belotta, general manager for This House of Books downtown, said that a push for pet-friendly amenities would make more sense if pet retail stores or parks were available.

Stores like that may be possible in the future, Richardson said.

A pocket park, or a small public space, was installed east of the Billings Depot last year.

I would say (downtown Billings) isn’t particularly active,” Belotta said. “I do see people walking their pets regularly every day, but there isn’t any particular reason to bring your pet down here. There aren’t pet zones or pet stores or anything that’s particular to pets.”

Dog Friendly Downtown Billings
Sweet and Sour, a 9-week-old adoptable puppy from the “dressing litter” at Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter gets attention from visitors at the Downtown Billings Alliance office on Friday, August 9, 2019. The event kicked off the Dog Days of Summer series promoting downtown Billings as a dog-friendly space. CASEY PAGE, Billings Gazette

The Downtown Dog Days of Summer will host shelter dogs at their office at 116 N. 29th St. every Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.