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Hi friend, welcome to Joshua Tree National Park.
My name is Bark Ranger Winston.
You're probably wondering,
how can I be a good B.A.R.K. Ranger?
B.A.R.K. is a simple way to remember the rules of bringing pets to Joshua Tree.
By following these rules, you and your human can stay safe during your visit.
The B is B.A.R.K. stands for Bag your poop.
About three million visitors come to Joshua Tree every year, and many of them bring their pets.
Help keep public lands natural by cleaning up after them.
A is for Always wear a leash.
There are many reasons why I never let my human walk me without one.
Even if your pet is well behaved off leash
My human doesn't know that, and they might become uneasy if an unleashed animal approaches us.
Additionally, there are hazards in the park such as predators and cacti.
For your safety, pets must be leashed at all times, and leashes may be no longer than six feet.
This leads us to the R in B.A.R.K.!
R is for Respect wildlife.
For many visitors, seeing wildlife is a highlight of visiting National Parks.
However, the scent of your pet negatively effects the natural behavior of wildlife, like Bighorn Sheep!
In National Parks, the safety of our native species is a priority.
Lastly, the K stands for Know where you can go.
Pets are only allowed 100 feet from any road, picnic area, or campground.
Taking pets on hiking trails or in the backcountry is strictly prohibited.
Neglect of these rules may result in a fine.
Always keep your pet with you, and carry enough drinking water and food!
If you are thirsty or hungry, so are they.
The best way to protect the park is to either leave your pet at home, or take them to a local pet daycare.
However, we understand that your pet is like a family member, and you want to bring them on your trip to Joshua Tree.
Its important that everyone knows the rules of B.A.R.K.
If you Bag your poop, Always wear a leash, Respect wildlife, and Know where you can go,
you and your pet will have a safe and enjoyable experience in Joshua Tree National Park.
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