Kathleen Kirkman says the impetus for the bumper sticker campaign came out of threats to reduce the size of Kilcona Park’s off-leash area.
“We’re trying to rile up the troops,” she said.
Kirkman said it started with concerns the city was mulling over changes to make way for the 2017 Canada Summer Games.
She said Kilcona’s bumper sticker campaign is modelled on a successful Vancouver campaign to elect dog-friendly councillors.
“We want city hall to realize that we are non-passive,” she said.
“Dog owners are very passionate people….They’re very focused and ‘agenda’d, ‘“ she said. Kirkman cited the growing number of dog-owners in Winnipeg. “Maybe dogs are starting to replace kids as an option for some people, or they have both and they want to enjoy the outdoors with their kid as well as with their dog,” she said.
Heather Vandenberg is worried about the future of Kilcona Park's off-leash area. “We’re trying to rile up the troops,” she said.
Kirkman said it started with concerns the city was mulling over changes to make way for the 2017 Canada Summer Games.
She said Kilcona’s bumper sticker campaign is modelled on a successful Vancouver campaign to elect dog-friendly councillors.
“We want city hall to realize that we are non-passive,” she said.
“Dog owners are very passionate people….They’re very focused and ‘agenda’d, ‘“ she said. Kirkman cited the growing number of dog-owners in Winnipeg. “Maybe dogs are starting to replace kids as an option for some people, or they have both and they want to enjoy the outdoors with their kid as well as with their dog,” she said.
Growing political awareness among dog owners
Heather Vandenberg was among those who snapped up the bumper sticker at Kilcona Park Dog Club’s recent BBQ.
“I bought it because its true,” she said. Vandenberg said part of the reason is to support the dog club, but partly it’s out of concern for the park’s future.
“I really don’t make a big stink about everything, but when (there’s) talk about this beloved park of ours getting smaller and smaller, and it’s a place I’ve gone to probably every day, if not twice a day, for the last 12 years of my life, not only is it for my dogs, it’s for my own mental well-being,” she said. “I vote, and I’d like this park to stay.”
For Susan Argue, it’s about time dog owners became politically active.
“What I’m trying to say to Mr. Katz and company is, I want us taken into account,” she said.
Argue said the bumper sticker campaign is slowly starting to resonate with dog owners.
And there’s lots of time to spread the word before the next municipal election in the fall of 2014.
“I don’t want to see this park disappear,” she said. “It can become a big issue. “
Heather Vandenberg was among those who snapped up the bumper sticker at Kilcona Park Dog Club’s recent BBQ.
“I bought it because its true,” she said. Vandenberg said part of the reason is to support the dog club, but partly it’s out of concern for the park’s future.
“I really don’t make a big stink about everything, but when (there’s) talk about this beloved park of ours getting smaller and smaller, and it’s a place I’ve gone to probably every day, if not twice a day, for the last 12 years of my life, not only is it for my dogs, it’s for my own mental well-being,” she said. “I vote, and I’d like this park to stay.”
For Susan Argue, it’s about time dog owners became politically active.
“What I’m trying to say to Mr. Katz and company is, I want us taken into account,” she said.
Argue said the bumper sticker campaign is slowly starting to resonate with dog owners.
And there’s lots of time to spread the word before the next municipal election in the fall of 2014.
“I don’t want to see this park disappear,” she said. “It can become a big issue. “