Congressional Cemetery is a great community resource on many levels: a nearby place to inter our loved ones; to learn about American history; observe nature; hear music; do community service; visit with friends; research our roots; plant a tree or garden; and walk our dogs. The Cemetery Association is committed to managing all these interests as well and economically as possible with priority given to our stated mission to preserve and care for this space as an historic burial ground.

Congressional Cemetery is a unique cemetery with 200 years of history that permits dog walking, but it is not a dog park, and from that premise everything else flows. Dog walking privileges are available only to members of the Association for the Preservation of Historic Congressional Cemetery. The association plans to limit the number of dogs entitled to walk in Congressional Cemetery to 600. To ensure harmonious use, the association established other rules, which are described here briefly. For a more detailed rationale for these rules and full text of the rules, see: www.cemeterydogs.org

• Dog walking is available only to APHCC members who donate at the $200 level. There is a $50 per dog registration fee with a limit of three dogs per membership. Dogs must wear a current tag issued by the cemetery.
• Dogs must be kept away from people visiting gravesites, non-dog walking visitors, and during burials and other events. Aggressive behavior of any type may be grounds for revocation of dog walking privileges.
• All members must clean up after their dogs.
• The cemetery is closed to dog walking on various occasions, including: one hour before and after funerals; from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays; from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on a number of holidays; and at the cemetery’s discretion during special events and grounds maintenance activities.
• Dogs must be under control of the walker at all times. Dogs that bite must be leashed or muzzled while on cemetery grounds. Owners must provide information to the cemetery manager on a major incident caused by their dog.
• Members should be respectful of grave markers and not sit or lean on the gravestones or table markers.
• Throw toys, balls and other exercise devices are prohibited.
• Walkers are encouraged to exercise their dogs before socializing and to keep moving to avoid critical masses of dogs.
• Dogs must have documented vaccinations against rabies and canine distemper.  Documentation is required in order to get a registration tag from the APHCC for dog walking privileges.
• Dog walking members must attend an orientation meeting to receive the registration tag.

To renew their membership in APHCC and register their dogs for 2008, current dog walkers should send their name and number of dogs to: staff@congressionalcemetery.org. Those who wish to become dog walkers should follow the same procedure to get on the waiting list.