To: Aquatic Managers, Superintendents of Recreation, 07-12

and Safety Coordinators

From: Kevin Hoffman, ARM, Director of Member Services

Date: August 6, 2007

RE: “Pet
Swimming” Programs in Licensed IDPH Pools –
Members Risk License Suspension
ISSUE
Traditionally, the end of the public swimming season often leads to “doggie dip” type programs
where the general public is allowed to bring their pets to the pool for a swim. These programs have
historically been well received by the general public and many members have already advertised
these programs in their seasonal brochures and taken registration.

Several members contacted PDRMA to question correspondence they had received from the Illinois
Department of Public Health (IDPH) concerning the Department’s prohibiting any programs that
allow animals to swim in licensed public pools, even after the aquatic facility has been closed to
public swimming for the season.

Upon learning that the IDPH intended to enforce the “pet swimming” program prohibition,
PDRMA engaged IDPH staff to obtain a rationale as to why “pet swimming” programs would not
be allowed in facilities licensed by the Department. After some difficulty in obtaining information
from the IDPH, the Department provided documentation going back to August, 2004 outlining their
position concerning potential health and safety hazards associated with allowing animals to swim in
State licensed pool facilities. The IDPH indicated that correspondence was sent to all licensed
aquatic facilities in August 2004 and then again in August 2006 (attached) detailing the reasons “pet
swimming” is prohibited. The following is an excerpt from one IDPH correspondence:

“The IDPH maintains that pets are expressly prohibited from using an IDPH licensed facility for
swimming. Further, the IDPH cautions that any licensed facility engaged in this type of prohibited
activity is in violation of the Act and may be subject to penalties, including license revocation. The
IDPH has, in recent years, communicated the hazards associated with pet swimming and does so
again with this correspondence. Swimming with pets is inherently dangerous due to physical
contact with animals. Dogs and other pets are unpredictable and may injure their owner or other
patron. Additionally, animals may be carrying pathogens that will lead to water-borne illnesses”.
LRN Alert
Page 2 – Continued

PDRMA has communicated to IDPH officials that in almost all cases these “pet swimming”
programs take place after the facility has been closed for any public swimming and that patrons
typically are not allowed in the water with the animals. The Department has taken a position that
animals are not permitted in licensed IDPH swimming facilities regardless of whether or not
persons would enter the water with the animals.

ACTION
Given the position taken by IDPH as to potential health concerns associated with “pet swimming”
programs and the potential for facility license revocation for non-compliance, it is strongly
recommended that members cancel any scheduled “pet swimming” program at IDPH licensed
facilities.

If you have any questions or would like additional information on this topic, you can contact the
Illinois Department of Public Health at 217-782-5830 or Kevin Hoffman at PDRMA (630-435-
8913).