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danielle RUIZ-MURPHY CENTER

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503 S Center Road, Birdsboro 610-921-2348

Click here to see the horses at the Ruiz-Murphy Center!

The HSBC's third facility in Berks County, the Danielle Ruiz-Murphy Center for Animal Welfare is a combined free community dog park and multi-acre equine rescue center.

The Ruiz-Murphy Dog Park is open seven days a week during daylight hours and is free to the public.  All rules and regulations are posted at the park.  Please enjoy the park safely and remember that although it is free to you, but not free for us to operate.  Make a donation online now to support the park or pick up a donation brochure when you visit to make a donation by mail!

Important notice for park goers with "rough playing dogs", sailor's mouths and unruly children: We have received a few complaints (I emphasize few because mostly we've been getting glowing comments which we greatly appreciate!) that fall in three basic categories:  Owners with dogs who play rough, owners with improperly supervised children, and people who don't know how to act and speak in a civilized society.  If you fall into any of these groups, please take the following into consideration:

  • My dog likes to "play rough": That's wonderful!  But it doesn't mean people want your dog "playing rough" with theirs.  It is your responsibility to be attentive and if people don't want your dog pouncing all over theirs, even if they don't say so and just look uncomfortable, you need to control your dog.  Failure to do so may result in being banned (and should it result in injury could result in civil and criminal penalties).
  • My kids are just having fun: That's wonderful!  But your kids are also vastly more likely to get bitten if they are running around, eating, and making a ton of noise.  The dog park is there for dogs and we must ask you to make sure your children are protected by being within arm's reach, quiet, and still.  Failure to do so may result in being banned.
  • I talk like an extra on Deadwood Boardwalk Empire Game of Thrones: That's not cool at all and will not be tolerated.  Aggressive behavior directed at other park goers, intimidation or use of profanity will result in your being banned from the park and may result in criminal charges being filed against you.

It is the tiniest fraction of a minority who create issues.  We truly appreciate your efforts to not be among that minority and to allow us to keep the park open, free and fun for everyone. Thank you!

Dog park partners

The Humane Society maintains the Ruiz-Murphy Center as a free community dog park for residents of Berks County and their furry friends. But brother, that ain't cheap! In addition to financial support from donors like you, the HSBC seeks donations of items and services to help us keep the park open, beautiful, and free. We'd like to thank the following businesses for their support, and we ask that you remember to support the businesses that support the HSBC!

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A very generous donation from J.P. Mascaro & Sons and the Mascaro family established the Ruiz-Murphy Center in 2010. Their support enabled the HSBC to realize a long-planned community dog park, and we can't thank them enough!

Click here to visit J.P. Mascaro & Sons' website!
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Wanner Gardens of Douglassville has supplied landscaping materials and advice to the HSBC for a number of projects over the past four years, including donations to the Ruiz-Murphy Center.

Visit Wanner here!
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Schmehl's Lawn Service mows and maintains the grassy lawns and pastures at the Ruiz-Murphy Center. They have generously donated services and materials including pasture maintenance and mulch to help us keep the park beautiful.
2319 Limekiln Road, Douglassville PA 19518
(610) 582-5382

 

DOG PARK HOURS

7:00 am to dusk (Seven days a week)
Equine adoption by appointment only.
Please call 610-921-2348, ext 18 to make an appointment.

DOG PARK Rules & regulations

Owners/handlers must remain with their dogs within fenced areas at all times.
Owners/handlers must clean up after their dogs immediately.
Park users and dog owners/handlers assume all risks related to park use.
Dogs must be kept on leash until inside the off-leash park.
No prong, pinch, or spike collars are permitted inside the dog park.
Owners/handlers must be within visual range and voice control of their dogs at all times.
There is a maximum of 3 dogs per owner/handler in the park.
No food is allowed in the off-leash park.
No animals other than dogs are permitted in the off-leash park.
Uncontrollable behavior or aggression will not be tolerated. People or animals displaying this behavior will leave the dog park immediately.
Dogs in heat or under six months old are not permittedi n the dog park.
All dogs using the dog park must be healthy, properly licensed, and have current inoculations. Dogs must wear collars with license, rabies tags and rescue information.
The off-leash park is for dog play, not child play. Children under 6 must be within arm's reach of an adult at all times. Children 6-13 must be under strict supervision of an adult at all times. No vehicles or children's toys are permittedi n the dog park.
Violators will be subject to removal from the park and/or fines.
The Humane Society of Berks County reserves the authority to close the dog park at any time and for any reason including, but not limited to maintenance, inclement weather, turf condition, or special/private events.

DIRECTIONS

From Pottstown Area
Take 422 West toward Reading. Turn left at traffic light onto S Center Rd/Route 345 (cross Rte 422 Eastbound).  HSBC is approximately 1/4 mile after Rte 422 Eastbound on the left (look for iron archway.)

From Reading Area
Take Route 422 East toward Douglassville turn right onto S Center Rd/Rte 345. The HSBC is ahead on the left.