Central Bark – Dog Park
Opened winter 2008. This dog park has lights, benches, trees, and some agility equipment and you must register here to gain entry. This dog park is supported by The Evansville Dog Owners Group (EDOG) and the land is supplied by the City.
|
Address:
2251 N. First Avenue
Kleymeyer Park Evansville Indiana 47710 U.S.A.
Hours of operation:
The City has installed dusk-to-dawn lighting in the park to allow owners and their furry friends to enjoy extended hours.
Email address:
|
Who We Are
Central Bark, Evansville’s Dog Park began when several folks joined together to ask the City of Evansville for a Dog Park. At first we were laughed at even though statistics show dog owners are plentiful and were interested in a park. Finally after requesting sites all over the City literally for years, they agreed to let us have a Dog Park in Kleymeyer Park which is a former dump. Afraid of lawsuits, the City required us to allow attendance only through membership with a strong set of rules. The only thing the City agreed to pay for was the lights for security. We held bake sales, dinners and BBQs, finally purchased over 300 truck loads of dirt for the first acre, and Central Bark was borne. Our only supporters were the Evansville Kennel Club who paid for the first acre of fence. None of us are wealthy but we have worked very hard over the years to make it the best we could. It is true that we have glass come up through the ground occasionally but keep in mind this is the same ground that right now holds three baseball fields that are played on all summer and several makeshift football fields that children play on all fall and some of the winter.
The risk of aggressive dogs is greatly reduced by our membership and is much safer by far than a park that is open to anyone who wants to bring their dog to a dog park. We require any dogs entering to be vaccinated and socialized. Dogs with problems are encouraged to work on their problems with a professional trainer before they come back.
EDOG Membership
EDOG members support the organization’s mission and projects. Membership dues are $42 per year, every April 1st. Pro rated dues for early or late joiners. EDOG is supported entirely by membership dues and contributions. We appreciate your support. All fees are non-refundable.
Central Bark Dog Park
Central Bark Dog Park is a membership required park. Our goal is give you a place to exercise and socialize your non-aggressive dog in an off-leash park. For more info and see how to apply, please visit our web site at http://www.evansvilledogpark.org
Today, one of Evansville Animal Care & Control’s fully sponsored dogs was returned. The 4th fully sponsored dog returned in 2 weeks. While we are grateful to those who sponsor fees to help animals get into homes, it is also important to remember that adoption is a commitment. A free adoption does not mean a free pass on responsibility when it comes to caring for a pet.
We all want to see empty kennels and happy endings. But the truth is: we can’t adopt or foster our way out of the overpopulation problem in our area. The “save them all” mentality— though coming from a good heart— can unintentionally place unrealistic pressure on shelters, rescues, and adopters alike. It leads to burnout, overwhelmed systems and staff, and sadly, more animals coming right back through the doors.
What we really need is a community-wide shift in how we think about helping:
🐾Supporting families in keeping their pets: donating to Vanderburgh Humane Society and It Takes a Village No-Kill Rescue pet food pantry’s, donating to our local low cost spay and neuter clinics (VHS in Evansville or Daviess County ITV in Owensboro), donating money to EACC for reclaim fees or even sponsoring a spay/neuter for an animal at EACC if it is adopted!
🐾Volunteer: walk dogs, help with enrichment, donate
🐾Share: share our posts, share our local rescues posts!
🐾Support our local rescues and places alike: our local rescues pull as often as they can! Fostering or adopting from them helps open up a spot for them to help more! Supporting places like Paw Street (who help with financial assistance to keep pets in their home)!!
🐾Advocate: for spay and neuter and responsible pet ownership!
Sometimes the best way to “save a life” is to help before the animals ends up in a shelter. We have to start coming together as a community. We need people to care and to be responsible! ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentComment on Facebook
There is a sweet baby rabbit trapped in the fence of the large section. I’ve seen it here twice now 4 days apart. Tried helping but it just immediately hides under the building.
Dear Valued Clients of the Tri-State,
Due to an ongoing shortage of veterinary staff, our Emergency Services will be operating under reduced hours until further notice. This decision has not been made lightly, and our top priority remains continuing to provide emergency care for your pets as much as we can while maintaining the safety and well-being of our team.
New Weekend ER Hours (Effective Saturday, July 26, 2025)
Saturday - noon to 8pm
Sunday - 10am to 8pm
New Weekday ER Hours (Effective Monday, August 4, 2025)
Monday - CLOSED
Tuesday - CLOSED
Wednesday - 6pm to Midnight
Thursday - 6pm to Midnight
Friday - 6pm to Midnight
If you are experiencing an emergency outside of our new hours, we recommend contacting your primary care veterinarian or the following emergency centers:
Blue Pearl Pet Hospital Louisville, Kentucky 502-244-3036
Metropolitan Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Service Louisville, Kentucky 502-266-7007
Jefferson Animal Hospital & Regional Emergency Center Louisville, Kentucky 502-966-4104
Veterinary Specialist Partners & Urgent Care Louisville, Kentucky 502-901-7990
Clarksville Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Clarksville, TN 931-551-2121
VCA Advanced Veterinary Care Fishers, Indiana 317-578-4100
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding as we work through this challenging time. Thank you to those that have trusted us with your pets' care over the past 28 years.
Please don't hesitate to reach out to us with any questions.
812-422-3300
[email protected]
The VCA All Pet Emergency Center Team ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Photos from Friends of Evansville Animal Control's post ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
... See MoreSee Less
This content isn't available right now
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
IT'S HARD TO ASK FOR HELP
It's been a sad week in the world of animal rescue. First, a transport van filled with dogs going to their new homes in NY, exploded into flames (they are still investigating.) The driver managed to save a few of the dogs, but the rest perished in the fire. Our hearts are broken along with theirs as we worry about these types of things every time we hit the road ourselves.
Then, a very much beloved wildlife rescue took her own young life after years of cyber-bullying, leaving behind a heartbroken husband, a daughter, and, of course, her sweet rescued animals.
My heart is so heavy right now. Amid all this sadness, we too have our own worries of trying to keep our doors open. The decline in donations is more than words can describe.
If you scroll through our social media pages, you will see that we rarely "beg" for money. We assume that people are aware that we are a non-profit organization, which relies on donations. Unfortunately, it's simply not the case. At times, we feel invisible.
Yet when I do post for help, it has become all too common for the haters to insert their ugliness of "You don't need the money. You drive a luxury car"...mind you, I drive a 1997 and a 2003 vehicle. And the list goes on of the things they pick at of "why we don't need the money." Of course, the issue of us housing HUNDREDS of dogs and cats never plays a part in their rant against us.
So it is with hesitation that I have to ask for help. Last month y'all helped us raise the money we needed to get our transport van repaired (she's got about 200K miles on her, but she's hanging in there). We cannot thank you enough! However, we now move on to other needs.
Our work truck is in the shop with an unpaid bill. Our very high vet bills can never seem to get down to a zero balance. And the list goes on. Any and I mean any donation that you can spare would be so greatly appreciated.
Here is the link to our donation page: vrcpitbull.com/how-you-can-help/donations/
And to the haters...please just keep scrolling by. The sadness and despair that all of us animal rescuers are feeling right now cannot deal with anymore. We are simply asking for help to continue saving the dogs (and cats) that everyone claims to love so much. ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook