Dog Friendly Areas

• Owners are legally responsible for their dogs and any injuries caused by their dogs.
• Owners must remain with and watch their dogs at all times.
• Dogs must be leashed prior to and upon leaving the DFA. Gates to the DFAs must remain closed except upon entering and exiting the DFA.
• Owners must immediately clean up after their dogs. Owners who fail to clean up after their dogs are subject to a fine of up to $500.00 (City of Chicago Ordinance 7-12-420).
• Dogs with a known history of, or who exhibit, dangerous behaviors are prohibited.
• Dogs must be healthy, fully immunized, dewormed, licensed and comply with the Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control Regulation for Chicago Park District DFAs.
• No dog will be allowed in a DFA unless it has a current rabies vaccination.
• Dog owners are responsible for the monitoring and maintenance of the DFA.
• No Food (human or dog food) is allowed inside the DFA
• Owners or other responsible persons must have a DFA permit with them for each dog visiting the DFA.
• DFA permits are valid from January 1 through December 31 each year.
• Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult; younger children must be closely supervised.
• Only three dogs per person allowed.
• Puppies under four months old and female dogs in heat are prohibited.
• Failure to comply with the Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control Regulation for Chicago Park District DFAs can result in a fine of up to $500.00.

The Administrator of the Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control mandated that the Park District issue permits for all off-leash dogs using Dog Friendly Areas. This regulation will be enforced by Deputies of the Department of Animal and Rabies Control. Any patron using a DFA without a permit is subject to a $500 fine.

The owner or other responsible person bringing any dog into a DFA must have a permit and tag issued by a participating Veterinarian for each dog. The veterinarian will issue a permit for any dog when the dog’s owner or other person responsible for the dog shows the following:

1. The owner or other responsible person produces a current dog license issued by the City of Chicago, or proof that the dog has a current rabies vaccination.
2. The owner must complete a Chicago Park District Dog Friendly Area Permit Application for each dog. The owner shall provide written proof acceptable to the Park District showing that a licensed veterinarian (or other authorized person) has performed a fecal test for parasites and vaccinated any dog entering a DFA for the following diseases:
   1. Distemper
   2. Hepatitis
   3. Para influenza; and
   4. Parvovirus
   5. Bordetella
   6. Leptospirosis

   (Current titers where applicable will also be acceptable) After issuance of a permit, the dog owner is responsible for keeping immunizations a thru f above current.

3. The owner must agree to abide by the Chicago Park District Rules and Regulations of a Dog Friendly Area.
    

Where to Get a Permit In Chicago

Dog Friendly Area Permit Applications are available at participating veterinarian offices (see list below). The Chicago Park District, with the cooperation of the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association, developed a process for distributing permits for our Dog Friendly Areas (DFAs). Permits are available at the offices of participating veterinarians for a cost of $10 per dog.

Participating Veterinarian Offices (list)

1. Abell Animal Hospital
   6032 N. Northwest Hwy., Chicago IL 60631
   (773) 631-6727
2. Animal Ark Veterinary Clinic, PC
   3235 N. Kedzie Ave., Chicago IL 60618
   (773) 442-6500
3. Animal Care Center of Chicago
   1248 W. Washington Blvd., Chicago IL 60607
   (312) 243-6655
4. Animal House of Chicago
   2752 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago IL 60625
   (773) 878-8002
5. Animal Medical Center of Chicago
   1618 W. Diversey, Chicago IL 60614
   (773) 525-3353
6. Animal Medical Center
   8343 N. Skokie Blvd., Skokie IL 60077
   (847) 673-2616
7. Beverly Hills Animal Hospital
   10359 S. Western Ave., Chicago IL 60643
   (773) 779-7790
8. Blum Animal Hospital
   3219 N. Clark St., Chicago IL 60657
   (773) 327-4446
9. Bramer Animal Hospital Ltd
   1021 Davis Street, Evanston IL 60201
   (847) 864-1700
10. Brighton Park Animal Hospital
    3779 S. Archer Ave., Chicago IL 60632
    (773) 254-1111
11. Broadway Animal Hospital
    6320 N. Broadway, Chicago IL 60660
    (773) 262-5445
12. Bronzeville Animal Hospital
    203 E. 31st St., Chicago IL 60616
    (312) 949-1838
13. Burnham Park Animal Hospital
    1025 S. State St., Chicago IL 60605
    (312) 663-9200
14. Cermak Animal Clinic
    6911 West Cermak Road, Berwyn IL 60402
    (708) 484-0101
15. Chicago Pet Clinic
    3510 N. Cicero Ave., Chicago IL 60641
    (773) 283-4627
16. Chicago Veterinary Care
    441 W. Roslyn Pl., Apt. 1E., Chicago IL 60614
    (312) 371-9839
17. Clark n Oak Animal Health Center
    1009 N Clark St., Chicago IL 60610
    (312) 951-8000
18. Compassionate Veterinary Care
    620 W. Webster Ave., Chicago IL 60614
    (773) 327-5024
19. Cragin Animal Hospital
    3042 N. Cicero Ave., Chicago IL 60641
    (773) 777-4400
20. Delta Animal Hospital
    2105 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago IL 60622
    (773) 278-6019
21. Diversey Animal Hospital
    5540 W. Diversey, Chicago IL 60639
    (773) 283-0827
22. Duke Animal Hospital
    3941 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago IL 60613
    (773) 627-4200
23. Elk Grove Pet Clinic
    615 Meacham Rd., Elk Grove Village IL 60007
    (847) 524-8387
24. Elmwood Grove Animal Hospital
    8035 W. Grand Ave., River Grove IL 60171
    (708) 456-6700
25. Family Pet Animal Hospital
    1401 W. Webster, Chicago IL 60614
    (773) 935-2311
26. Forest Glen Animal Hospital
    5324 N. Elston Ave., Chicago IL 60630
    (773) 283-2883
27. Fox Animal Hospital
    2107 Crawford Ave., Evanston IL 60201
    (847) 869-4900
28. Fullerton Animal Clinic
    4303 W. Fullerton Ave. Chicago IL 60639
    (773) 227-7600
29. Furnetic/Chicago Center for Veterinary
    Med 2242 W. Harrison, Suite 101 Chicago IL 60612
    (312) 226-2588
30. Heal Veterinary Clinic
    4108 N. Rockwell, Chicago IL 60618
    (773) 888-5091
31. Higgins Animal Clinic
    1705 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago IL 60657
    (773) 525-0472
32. Hyde Park Animal Clinic
    1363 East 53rd Street, Chicago IL 60615
    (773) 324-4484
33. Illiana Veterinary
    16259 Van Dam Rd., South Holland IL 60473
    (708) 331-4640
34. Janda Veterinary Hospital
    5005 W. Cermak, Cicero IL 60804
    (708) 863-4008
35. Jewell Animal Hospital
    4501 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago IL 60625
    (773) 271-1901
36. Lincoln Park Dog and Cat
    2665 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago IL 60614
    (773) 549-2090
37. Logan Square Animal Hospital
    2543 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago IL 60657
    (773) 384.1138
38. Marquette Animal Hospital
    4227 W.63rd St., Chicago IL 60629
    (773) 585-8350
39. Mayfair Animal Clinic
    4314 N. Elston, Chicago IL 60641
    (773) 478-1868
40. McKillip Animal Hospital
    2867 N. Clark St., Chicago IL 60657
    (773) 248-7266
41. Metropolitan Veterinary Center
    1556 S. Michigan #1100, Chicago IL 60605
    (312) 583-1921
42. Mid North Animal Hospital
    2212 N. Halsted, Chicago IL 60614
    (773) 929-0777
43. Milaknis Animal Hospital
    5638 N. Western Ave., Chicago IL 60659
    (773) 561-1433
44. Morton Grove Animal Hospital
    9128 Waukegan Rd., Morton Grove IL 60053
    (847) 965-4010
45. My Neighborhood Vet
    6927 N. Lincoln Ave., Lincolnwood IL 60712
    (847) 213-0600
46. My Vet Animal Hospital
    1643 W. Cortland, Chicago IL 60622
    (773) 235-8387
47. Near North Animal Hospital LTD
    1207 N. Wells, Chicago IL 60610
    (312) 944-5350
48. North Ave. Animal Hospital
    1901 W. North Ave., Chicago IL 60622
    (773) 278-1330
49. North Center Animal Hospital
    1808 W. Addison St., Chicago IL 60613
    (773) 327-5050
50. Northwest Animal Hospital
    2024 S. River Road, Des Plaines IL 60018
    (847) 296-3112
51. Norwood Park Animal Hospital
    4321 N. Harlem Ave., Norridge IL 60706
    (708) 457-0066
52. Pets First Veterinary Clinic
    3413 N. Broadway, Chicago IL 60657
    (773) 904-8724
53. Pulaski Animal Hospital
    5424 S. Pulaski Rd., Chicago IL 60632
    (773) 735-2112
54. Ravenswood Animal Hospital
    2752 W. Montrose, Chicago IL 60618
    (773) 539-7387
55. Riser Animal Hospital
    5335 W. Touhy Ave., Skokie IL 60077
    (847) 673-2520
56. Roscoe Village Animal Hospital
    3131 N. Clybourn, Chicago IL 60618
    (773) 549-3131
57. The Royal Treatment Veterinary Spa
    4130 N. Rockwell, Chicago IL 60618
    (773) 267-9966
58. Terry Animal Hospital
    1419 Lake Ave., Wilmette IL 60091
    (847) 256-1131
59. Touhy Animal Hospital
    2311 W. Touhy Ave., Park Ridge IL 60068
    (847) 698-3123
60. Urban Veterinary Care
    2930 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago IL 60657
    (773) 388-0400
61. Veterinary Home Health Care
    5000 W. Bloomingdale Ave., Chicago IL 60639
    (773) 237-8230
62. VCA Lake Shore AH
    960 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago IL 60642
    (312) 738-3322
63. West Loop Veterinary Care
    815 W. Randolph, Chicago IL 60607
    (312) 421-2275
64. West Suburban Animal Hospital
    518 N. Warwick, Westmont IL 60559
    (630) 968-4212
65. West Wrigley Animal Hospital LLC
    3416 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago IL 60657
    (773) 528-8387
66. Wicker Park Veterinary Clinic
    1166 N. Milwaukee, Chicago IL 60642
    (773) 227-9700
67. Woodlawn Animal Hospital
    6523 S. King Drive, Chicago IL 60631
    (773) 288-3744
68. Wright Animal Hospital
    265 River Road, Des Plaines IL 60016
    (847) 299-0135
69. Your Pets Wellness
    2319 N. Damen Ave, Chicago IL 60647
    (773) 697-8176 

Updated June 2024

Participating Veterinarian Offices (map)

Updated June 2024

• What is the permit and tag fee?
• How long is a permit and tag good for?
• Will there be a sliding scale for seniors or visitors?
• Where can I get a permit and tag?
• When can I get a permit and tag?

View More FAQs

To learn about the process involved in establishing a new dog friendly area, view Procedures for Establishing a DFA in your Community .