Think about your grossest NYC sidewalk experience. Think about your top ten. Would you want you or your loved ones to be barefoot for any of them? Walkee Paws wanted to know why your dog should be any different?
While looking for solutions, NYC dog-mom Lisa Baronoff found more dog-walking problems than solutions. Not only could the germs and filth from the street accumulate on her dogs’ feet, causing illness, but all of that filth ends up getting tracked back into the home. A tidy home meant spending time holding down their four-legged family members to wipe their feet off. Not fun for anybody. There are pet shoes and booties, but that experience is like trying to put shoes on two toddlers at once. The same could be said for carrying them around, depending on the dog.
Those concerns are even more troubling during extreme weather. During one heatwave this July, pavement temperatures reached a skin-blistering 122 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow freezes toes, and snow-melting chemicals can be even worse. “The chemical salts that are put down on city streets to melt the ice or snow will severely crack the pads on your dog’s paws,” says Daniel Gomez of Walkee Paws, “and if they lick their paws with residual salt on the paws and legs it will most likely cause them to get sick, vomit, and have diarrhea.”
After years of trial and error, Baronoff created Walkee Paws, the world’s first doggie leggings. Built for comfort, they slip around the legs and tie over the back, and come with rubber soles for your dog’s feet. When you’re done, they’re just as easy to take off and easy to clean. “I think the best way to get your pet to walk in Walkee paws outside,” says Gomez, “is to put the Walkee Paws on your pet in your home and let them walk around to get used to walking around in them, once they are used to the feeling, take them for their walk!”
Check out Walkee Paws online today and get 15% off if you include code: 15offwalkee at checkout.
Battery Park City Authority Launches Dog Waste Compost Pilot as Part of NYC Climate Week 2019
As part of its lineup of events in celebration of Climate Week NYC, the Battery Park City Authority (BPCA) today announced the launch of a dog waste composting program in furtherance of its environmental responsibility efforts. Each of Battery Park City’s three dog runs – at the North End Avenue Island, “Sirius” at Kowsky Plaza, and at the south end of West Thames Park – now has its own collection bin with instructions for dog owners about how to participate. The bins will be emptied and cleaned daily, with waste brought to the BPCA Parks Operations’ central dog waste composting unit.
“Composting is an integral part of our sustainability practices,” said BPCA President and Chief Executive Officer B.J. Jones. “With this new initiative, we’re picking up the pace of our efforts to further reduce waste and harmful methane emissions.”
“I’ve spent my career in these parks, and I know that every little bit we do helps make a big difference,” said BPCA Parks Operations Director Bruno Pomponio. “Thanks to Ryan and our dynamic team for their innovative thinking — and to all program participants for keeping BPC beautiful!”
“The dedication of BPCA staff to being environmental stewards is nothing short of incredible, and this dog waste composting program is just another example of their commitment to making a difference,” said Ryan Torres, BPCA Assistant Director of Parks Operations, who is leading this initiative. “I’m humbled to work alongside them.”
Unmanaged dog waste can pollute waterways and adds to landfill waste. BPCA estimates that about 75 lbs. of dog waste is produced daily from neighborhood dog runs, which translates to 3.5 tons of waste each year. By composting rather than disposing of this waste in its raw form, the Authority can minimize the amount of methane gas released, while also reducing the number of plastic bags typically used to pick up pet waste.
Use the scooper available in each BPC dog run to pick up dog waste; OR
Use a paper bag (no plastics, please!) drawn from the dispenser placed at each dog run
Then, simply place the waste into the marked collection bin next to the regular trash receptacle at each dog run
BPCA has a longstanding and growing composting program, utilizing raw, fresh or frozen vegetables/fruit, and coffee grounds from staff, residents, and local businesses. The Authority composts year-round and on-site at its 75 Battery Place Parks Operations Headquarters, which reduces the Authority’s organic waste and fossil fuel usage, as well as the methane produced during the slow breakdown of organics in landfills. Materials are aerated and monitored regularly to facilitate a microbe-rich aerobic breakdown. Compost – including the wood chips produced from Battery Park City residents’ holiday trees, and pruning materials from throughout BPC Parks – nourishes and sustains soils across the neighborhood’s diversified landscape. In 2018, BPCA composted more than 20,000 lbs. of food and waste and is on-pace to compost over 35,000 lbs. this year.
Run by The Climate Group, an international non-profit focused on accelerating climate action, Climate Week serves as a showcase for climate action worldwide. Businesses, governments, academic institutions, arts organizations, individuals and non-profit organizations are invited to participate in the week-long events program, including panel discussions, concerts, exhibitions, seminars and more. Click here for a full schedule of BPCA events.
About BPCA: Established in 1968, The Hugh L. Carey Battery Park City Authority is a New York State Public Benefit Corporation charged with developing and maintaining a well-balanced community on the Lower West Side of Manhattan. Battery Park City’s 92- acre site has achieved worldwide acclaim as a model for community renewal in planning, creating, and maintaining a balance of commercial, residential, retail and park space. For more info visit: bpca.ny.gov.
When you are looking to visit Downtown New York City, don’t worry we’ve got your back… or should we say your furry buddy’s back. We’ve had our Pawblisher Barclay scour the entire downtown area to find our very favorite pet-friendly downtown hotels. Here are our top six!
The team at Hotel 50 Bowery is absolutely DOG-CRAZY, which means that we are pet-friendly! We welcome you and your pets with open arms. Upon check-in, a signed pet agreement will be required. There is no fee (only in the case of damage caused by man’s BFF during your stay). It is best to let us know in advance if you plan to bring your pet along with you, so we can make sure to have a dog bed and bowl ready for your beloved four-legged friend upon arrival.
Fair warning: we also love to photograph every dog we meet and post to Instagram!
Hotel 50 Bowery
Image: Grand SoHo Hotel.
Traveling can be tough for a pet owner. The thought of leaving your best friend behind is undesirable, to say the least. But fret no more —New York is actually one of the most pet-friendly hotels throughout cities in the world, with a variety of hotels that will accommodate you and your pet with extreme care and amiability. Even better, some of the most luxurious pet-friendly downtown hotels in Manhattan is located downtown. If you want the best for your loyal friend you’ll love these hotels:Conrad New York (102 North End Avenue, 10282), Soho Grand Hotel (310 West Broadway, 10013), Tribeca Grand Hotel (2 Ave of the Americas, 10013), and Trump Soho(246 Spring St, 10013).
Conrad New York
Image: Conrad New York.
The Conrad New York is one of the most gorgeous hotels to sojourn in all of Manhattan. It is situated in the dynamic and beautiful downtown Wall Street neighborhood. This Pet-Friendly Downtown Hotel has rooms which are globally renowned for their luxurious design. Not only is the Conrad one of the best hotels in New York, but also it accepts pets. If you want to treat yourself and your furry friend, Conrad Hotel is the place for you.
Image: SoHo Grand Hotel.
The SoHo Grand Hotel requires no additional charge for your pet’s stay. Organic food from Bocce’s Bakery, bedding, water bowls and doggy bags are all included in the exquisite service that the hotel provides. The hotel is not only a Pet-Friendly Downtown Hotel but its equipped with an exclusive Dog Park, designed by Rebecca Cole, with fire hydrant water stations and bespoke benches, open 7 days a week from 7 am to 7 pm.
The SoHo Grand Hotel
Image: TriBeCa Grand Hotel.
The TriBeCa Grand Hotel, upon request, will provide you with pet bedding in various sizes, food and water bowls, complimentary treats at the front desk, and kitty litter boxes — all with no extra cost. In each room, at one’s disposal, guests can find a pet food room service menu. Don’t have time to take out your dog, or stay in the room with your pet? The concierge at this happy pet – friendly downtown hotel will be happy to arrange a dog-walker, a pet sitter, pet spas, and veterinary care.
The TriBeCa Grand Hotel,
Image: Trump SoHo Hotel.
The Trump SoHo Hotelhas its own ‘Pets Program’ consisting of gourmet treats, plush dog bedding, and dog-walking services through ‘Trump Attache’, or concierge. Moreover, each room in this pet-friendly downtown hotel comes with in-room dining menus, water bowls with fresh bottled water, toys, and maps of outdoor dog-friendly parks.
Traveling can be tough, well then, let’s make it simple, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and enjoy the best pet-friendly hotels downtown in Lower Manhattan, where you and your furry friend will be treated like royalty.
It’s early September in New York so we all know fashion week is right around the corner. While our attention might stray to models and trends in the spotlight this upcoming week, we can’t forget to give the little ones under our feet all the other weeks of the year some credit.
This weekend on the Lower East Side, the Hester Street Fair presents “PETS in the LES,” an all-exclusive Pet Fashion Weekend taking place on September 6th and 7th between 11am and 6pm at Hester Street at Essex Street.
Pet owners from all over downtown are invited to let their little ones strut their stuff on the “pet runway” and pose in a photo booth with trendy fashion props. If you come between 1pm and 3pm, photographers will even be snapping mini Polaroid pictures of their favorite furry models. If you’re lucky maybe your companion will become world famous! After showing off for a bit, relax at the Pet Café where pets and owners alike can refresh themselves and mingle for the rest of the day.
Think your pet has what it takes? Then head out this weekend to the Hester Street Fair and watch your little one revel in the spotlight!
What is your perfect summer day? Being with my family and my doggie pals outside in our garden and by the pool.
Where do you catch some rays? On the front patio between my mom’s lavender and basil pots where it smells so nice.
What is your favorite snack? Grilled salmon on the cedar planks, and I also love to eat watermelon.
Favorite sport? I like to watch the fish and frogs in our fishpond and to chase butterflies in the backyard.
Pikachu is one of the puppies featured in Barclay’s Spot in DOWNTOWN’s Summer 2014 edition. If you would like to see some of the cutest dogs from Lower Manhattan, you can find our latest issue on newsstands now!Or you can subscribe for home delivery by clickinghere.
What is your perfect summer day? Running around at my daddy’s house in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.
Where do you catch some rays? At the South Street Seaport dogwalk or Chelsea Piers.
What is your favorite snack? Always CHICKEN!
Favorite sport? Playing fetch with my two daddies.
Cooper is one of the puppies featured in Barclay’s Spot, A Dog’s-Eye View of Downtown of DOWNTOWN’s Summer 2014 edition. If you would like to see some of the cutest dogs from Lower Manhattan, you can find our latest issue on newsstands now!Or you can subscribe for home delivery by clickinghere.
