Despite a city code that forbids dogs at the Downtown Hollister Certified Farmers’ Market, event organizers for years have had issues with patrons bringing their pooches to the weekly gatherings from May through September.
To curtail the problem this year—and potential health risks with dogs around all the people and food—market organizers have partnered with a local business to offer pet-sitting services during the Wednesday event hours.
Country Groomers has agreed to stay open for the duration of the market, which lasts from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., in order to offer pet sitting at a $5 charge.
“It’s a hard situation,” said Market Manager Tammy Jackson. “For a lot of people, their pets are like their kids.”
But the city code forbids having pets downtown during a public assembly, including the market featuring vendors offering fresh food. She said the fine has reached about $300 if someone has come to the market with an unregistered pet, which is common. Jackson estimated she sees an average of about a dozen dogs at each farmers market, but some weeks are worse than others.
Jackson said she hopes Country Groomers, 206 Fifth St., gets enough business to justify staying open a couple extra hours on market Wednesdays.
