In June of 2008, SWEFA members implemented a policy to allow for canine attendance at designated SWEFA events: the Pagan Canine Companion Program, or PCCP. The guidelines are as follows:

• Canine attendance will be permitted at one of SWEFA’s overnight events per year, the event to rotate on a yearly basis. (For example, if Beltane is the designated dog-friendly event one year, then the next year it will be either Midsummer Mirth or Enchanted Mountain Gathering.)

• A Canine Coordinator must be present at an event with canine attendance, in order to enforce canine attendance guidelines. This person is responsible for enforcing the guidelines of SWEFA’s PCCP policies, as well as addressing onsite complaints and/or issues. This person should be identified and recognizable to attendees.

• At a dog-friendly event, the number of dogs allowed to attend will be limited to 5 to 10% of total event attendance – in other words, for every 100 humans attending, 5 to 10 dogs are allowed.

• Because the number of canine companions wishing to attend an event may exceed number of dogs allowed, dogs will be granted attendance by means of a Pet Lottery that owners must enter to secure a spot for their dog. This is to ensure fairness.

• There may be no more than 3 dogs per family/camping group. This is subject to the Pet Lottery. The goal here is to potentially accommodate multiple-dog families as fairly as possible.

• Anyone wishing to bring their canine companion(s) to a SWEFA event must provide the information requested by the Canine Coordinator, and agree to uphold the rules and regulations of the PCCP. They must also sign a waiver acknowledging their own legal responsibility for the actions of their dog(s). This waiver is based on the waiver used by the American Kennel Club for their events.

            Dog owners are expected to adhere to the following expectations:

A $20 pet deposit must be paid, which will be returned to the owner pending adherence to the PCCP rules and regulations for the duration of the event.

All dogs in attendance must be current on his/her rabies vaccinations. Proof must be provided by means of a rabies tag/license that will remain on the animal’s collar for the duration of the event.

All dogs in attendance must be restrained via leash or kennel and under supervision of an

There will not be more than 3 dogs allowed per family site.

Owners are required to clean up after their pet using the provided removal materials or materials of their own.

Food, water, shade and bedding must be readily available to one’s canine companion at all times.

Failure to adhere to any of the above rules may result in the loss of the pet deposit or requested removal of the animal from the event site. Such penalties are non-negotiable, provided that one (1) verbal warning is given beforehand.

In January, 2011; SWEFA Semi-Annual meeting, it was voted to allow two events to be Canine Friendly - Beltane and MidSummer Mirth.