K9COLA (Citizens for Off-Leash Areas) is an all-volunteer, 501(c3) nonprofit, dedicated to supporting, maintaining, enhancing, and developing off-leash areas (dog parks) in the Cedar Rapids area. We partner with the City of Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation department to provide the community with education and information about dog parks and dog-friendly events.

In 2013, donations to our organization made possible the addition of agility equipment, benches, trees, a storage shed, and the engraved rock, all at K9 Acres. At Cheyenne, additional benches were installed, all benches and pavilions were varnished, and the planter was removed.

In 2014, we plan to add a kiosk and two pavilions at K9 Acres and a kiosk, cart, and additional agility equipment at Cheyenne. Also, a third dog park on the Northwest side is under discussion.

Although no donations go toward salaries, some money is used to pay for liability insurance for the Board of Directors as well as for printing and advertising costs for events and materials.

Our biggest need is for new volunteers to help. We have five committees (Social Media, Fundraising, Site Maintenance, Volunteer, and K9Splash!). Four officers (Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer) conduct organization business. In addition, two at-large Directors help us meet yearly goals and achieve our mission.

We have open positions on our Board of Directors. Many of the Officers and Directors have been on the board longer than five years. We invite and welcome new people to attend our monthly board meetings (held the first Wednesday of the month at 6 pm at the Downtown Cedar Rapids Library) and find out how to get involved. If you have additional questions please contact Board of Directors Chairman Marie Appel at info@k9cola.org or 319-560-1673 or visit our website: k9cola.org.

Hey everyone! Guess what time it is?? It's time to volunteer for K9splash! We are so excited! :)

For those who volunteered last year, we made a few changes for this year. So please read everything over carefully. If you are new, here is what you need to know.

K9Splash! this year is at Bever Park Pool on Saturday August 16th and Sunday August 17th. We have three volunteer shifts: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, 12:45 PM - 3:15 PM, and 3:00 - 5:30 PM. We also have a few openings for people to set up if you don't have a lot of time.

Everyone who volunteers gets a free t-shirt. K9COLA pays for these for you. If you have a shirt from last year you would like to reuse, that would be wonderful!

If you volunteer for two shifts, you get a free dog entry!! Three shifts, 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM, and you get a free dog entry AND a voucher for lunch from Hy-Vee that day! Is that a great deal or what?

You must be 14 or older to volunteer. Your dogs CAN NOT be brought with you to volunteer. If you are going to bring a dog, you must bring it on shifts you are NOT working.

Please include in your email which day and shifts you would like to work and whether you need a new t-shirt or not. If you have a specific request for a job, please let me know and I will do my best to get you there. Thank you. Write to k9splashvolunteers@gmail.com.

The K9Splash! Committee is pleased to present a new way of registering for this year's event: online registration. To register online, go to: https://secure.getmeregistered.com/K9Splash. There is a small additional fee, but it is still less expensive than registering the day of the event. Please have your vet records and credit card information ready.

As always, you can still register in person, over the phone, or through the mail with no additional fees. However, in 2014 we will NOT be accepting off-leash park tags as proof of vaccinations because we require proof of rabies, parvo, and distemper. We are looking forward to another safe, fun, and exciting event. Hope to see you there.

We are also looking for volunteers now. Write to k9splashvolunteers@gmail.com.

This year, K9COLA will have a booth at three of the Downtown Farmers Markets in Cedar Rapids: July 5, August 2, and September 5. Come visit us there!

K9COLA is also accepting handmade / homemade items to sell at its markets. Please contact Jill to donate items.

We still need a few volunteers for the Farmers' Market on Saturday. What better way to spend your Fourth of July weekend than to enjoy the market! If you can only stop for an hour or two, that would be great. Please let me know if anyone is available. Thank you! Jill

On Sunday July 6, Devotay in Iowa City will be donating 20% of its revenue to K9COLA . Business hours that day are from 4pm to 9pm. Please stop by and enjoy their delicious food and help us out as well. Be sure to like them on Facebook and say thanks for sponsoring this fundraiser for us. Questions? email Jesse at jesse@k9cola.org.

2014 Recall Testing: 
Sunday, September 7, 2:00 p.m. @ Cheyenne

We are done when all testing for that day is complete, so please be there at the start time.

Please let us know if you plan to attend on one of these dates. That way, if we have a last minute weather-related cancellation, we can contact you. Still have questions about the test or how it works? Email info@k9cola.org.