Dog lovers have until National Mutt Day on July 31 to vote for Philly Water’s Best Friend.  The dogs with the most votes will compete in two pageants next fall.

The winning duo will soon represent the Philadelphia Water Department in Juniata, Lower Moyamensing and beyond.  Each winner will receive $200 in prizes and the title of Philly Water’s Best Friend.

“We had so much fun participating in the spokesdog competition,” said Anna Fineberg, the owner of Josie, a beagle that won last year’s competition in Fitler Square.  “We really enjoyed the opportunity to enter our dog into a contest — how often do you get to do that? — and had even more fun at the ‘pageant,’ where we got to spend the morning with lots of cool dogs and their adoring humans.”

The purpose of the PWD’s spokesdog contest is to keep Philadelphia’s rivers and streams clean.  Winners accomplish this by attending two or more events, handing out flyers, and giving away dog-waste bags.  This encourages dog walkers to pick up their pets’ waste.

Pet waste is a problem because it pollutes Philadelphia’s water.  This happens when rain or melting snow washes it into storm drains, which can overflow into waterways.

“This program fosters a culture of greener city living, especially when it’s paired with new dog runs, like the one at Penn’s Landing,” said Joanne Dahme, general manager of public affairs at the PWD.  “This makes it safer for people to boat, fish, and enjoy Philadelphia’s coast — and it saves our four-legged friends from unnecessary embarrassment.”

Sponsors of this program include the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, Philadelphia Water Department, Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership, Juniata Action, and Lower Moyamensing Civic Association.

For more information, visit the Water’s Best Friend Competition webpage call Melissa Bittner at (800) 445-4935, extension 113.

7/21/2014