A trip to the beach can be a very rewarding way to spend quality time with your pet. It is important to remember, however, that the beach is shared with other people, pets, and wildlife. Here are some helpful questions and answers to help make your -- and your pet's -- beach visit as pleasant as possible.
Is my pet allowed on the beach?
Ordinances regarding animals on the beach vary widely. Most Georgia beach communities require that animals be kept off the beach during certain hours of the day and/or certain times of the year. Some only allow dogs on specific beaches, some allow horses and others have banned animals altogether. All require that your animal remain on a leash and under your control.
Violators risk being fined, so it is best to check local laws before bringing along your animal companion. Here are the ordinances for beaches in Brunswick and The Golden Isles:
- St. Simons Island Animals are allowed on the beach until 9:00 am and after 6:00 pm from Memorial Day through Labor Day, from First Street/East Beach (Coast Guard Station) south to Mallery Street (the pier). Animals on leashes (max. 10 feet) are permitted on the beach north of the Coast Guard Station year-round at any time.
- Jekyll Island Animals must be on a leash or reins and are permitted on the beach.
In areas that animals are allowed they must be kept on leash. This is for your animal's safety and for the safety of other beachgoers and wildlife.
While we all like to think that our dogs are well mannered, it is important to remember that the canine social structure is quite different from that of humans. Anywhere that large numbers of dogs congregate the occasional fight is inevitable. Keeping your dog on a leash will minimize negative encounters with other dogs and give you better control of your pet if they are involved in a scuffle. Dogs with a history of aggression are best left at home.
Dogs and Wildlife
Georgia beaches are home to a variety of birds and other wildlife; several species are threatened or endangered. Here is some good advice designed to help protect and preserve these animals:
Shorebirds
If you are going to a remote beach, leave your dog at home. Dogs are effective predators and often disturb shorebirds that are nesting in the sand. Dogs can crush or eat young chicks or flush the parents off nests allowing other predators easy access to them. To minimize interactions with nesting birds keep your dog at home.
Do not allow your dog to chase birds on the beach. Several species of birds use Georgia beaches as critical stopovers during their long migrations. When forced to flee from dogs, birds burn up valuable calories and compromise their fat reserves. Chronic disturbance of resting birds can compromise their health and burns valuable energy needed for migration.
Sea Turtles
From late spring through early fall; loggerhead sea turtles nest on Georgia’s shores. Please take precautions to ensure your dog does not disturb adult turtles, their nests, or hatchlings. Do not allow your dog to dig above the high tide line and do not bring your pets to the beach after dark when females are laying eggs.
Why do I need to pick up my animal's waste...won't the tide wash it away?
The tide will wash it away…and that’s the problem. Recently, animal waste on the beach has received a lot of attention. Not only is it unpleasant for beachgoers, but it also poses a very real health threat to swimmers and other dogs.
Fecal coliform bacteria in seawater, tied to animal waste on the beach, can make people and animals very ill. In some cases, these bacteria can reach levels that require the local Health Department to issue a swimmers' health advisory. To ensure that your animal is not contributing to this problem, always clean up your animal's waste and deposit it in an appropriate trash receptacle. For current beach advisories in Georgia click here.
How can I keep my dog safe at the beach?
The American Kennel Club has provided the following guidelines to help you make your dog’s trip to the beach an enjoyable one:
- When taking your dog to the beach, make sure there is plenty of fresh water and shade.
- Dogs can get sunburned just like humans, so limit your dogs exposure to the hot sun and apply a zinc-free sunblock to his ears and nose 30 minutes before going outside.
- Be careful not to let your dog spend too much time on hot sand or asphalt. Dogs can burn their feet just as easily as we can.
- Cool ocean water is very tempting to a dog. Don’t allow your dog to drink too much seawater. This can cause diarrhea or vomiting and quickly dehydrate them.
- Check with lifeguards for daily water conditions. Dogs can be easy targets for jellyfish.
- Swimming is a great form of exercise for dogs, but don’t let them overdo it. They will be using new muscles and may tire quickly.
- Running on a beach is strenuous exercise and a dog that is out of shape can easily pull a tendon or ligament. If your dog is out of shape, don't encourage him to run on the sand.
- The beach can present many hazards for your dog. Things to watch out for include boats, fishhooks, dead fish, garbage, and broken glass.
- Salt and other minerals in ocean water can damage your dog’s coat, so rinse him off at the end of the day.
Pet-Friendly Accommodations in Brunswick and The Golden Isles of Georgia
Several hotels, rental cottages and campgrounds in Brunswick and the Golden Isles accept pets. Please note that there may be restrictions on the number of pets and/or their size. Pet-friendly properties often set aside a limited number of pet-friendly rooms. While they may show occupancy, they may in fact be out of pet-friendly rooms. Also, the accommodation may charge an additional fee for your pet. It's always best to check ahead of time just to be sure. For a listing of pet-friendly accommodations in Brunswick and The Golden Isles, click here.
