Northern Kentucky Animal Clinic
6008 Taylor Mill Rd, Covington, KY 41015
A general veterinary clinic on Taylor Mill Road in Covington.
Pets in Covington
Covington Pet Guide
Vets, dog parks, shelters and pet-friendly spots in Covington, Kentucky, checked by the NatiPets team.
- County
- Kenton County
- From downtown
- 2 miles
- ZIP codes
- 41011, 41014, 41015, 41016, 41017
- Places listed
- 11
Covington is the biggest city in Northern Kentucky and sits directly across the Ohio River from downtown Cincinnati, close enough that plenty of its pet owners walk their dogs over the Roebling Bridge. Devou Park, more than 700 acres above the river, is the big green space, with paved and natural trails and eight miles of mountain bike trails, all leashed.
The city got its first dedicated dog park in late 2022: the SFC Jason Bishop Memorial Dog Park at Ninth and Philadelphia streets, a free fenced park with separate small and large dog areas, open dawn to dusk. Downtown and MainStrasse are unusually dog-friendly for a city center. Braxton Brewing welcomes dogs on its main floor until 9 pm, and Gypsy's on Main Street keeps a four-season dog-friendly patio.
Kenton County runs animal control and the county no-kill shelter from Mary Laidley Drive in South Covington, and it licenses both dogs and cats. Renewals are due before March 1 with proof of a current rabies shot. Vet coverage stretches along Dixie Highway and Madison Pike into Park Hills, Fort Wright and Fort Mitchell, all a few minutes from the city center.
Good to know in Covington
- Covington sits in Kenton County, Kentucky, directly across the Ohio River from downtown Cincinnati, and is the largest city in Northern Kentucky. source
- Covington is about 2 road miles from downtown Cincinnati via the KY-17 route across the Ohio River. source
- Covington's population was estimated at 41,110 in 2024. source
- Covington's ZIP codes are 41011, 41014, 41015, 41016 and 41017. source
- All dogs and cats in Kenton County must be licensed annually, with renewal due before March 1 and current rabies vaccination proof required. source
- Devou Park, the city's largest park, spans more than 700 acres and includes paved and natural trails plus over 8 miles of mountain bike trails. source
- The SFC Jason Bishop Memorial Dog Park at Ninth and Philadelphia streets, which opened in late 2022, was Covington's first dedicated dog park. source
Veterinary care
Veterinarians in and around Covington
Call ahead for hours and whether a practice is taking new patients. Urgent and emergency care is marked.
Park Hills Animal Hospital
1555 Dixie Hwy, Park Hills, KY 41011nearby
A veterinary hospital on Dixie Highway in Park Hills, a small city bordering Covington.
Noah's Ark Animal Clinics - Fort Wright
3339 Madison Pike, Fort Wright, KY 41017nearby
A general veterinary clinic in Fort Wright offering wellness visits, diagnostics and surgery, part of a family-owned Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky network.
Fort Mitchell Veterinary Center
2495 Dixie Hwy, Fort Mitchell, KY 41017nearby
A family-owned small animal hospital in Fort Mitchell open since 2015, treating dogs, cats and small mammals.
Get outside
Dog parks and trails near Covington
SFC Jason Bishop Memorial Dog Park
Off-leash847 Philadelphia St, Covington, KY 41011
A fenced, free city dog park at Ninth and Philadelphia streets with separate areas for small and large dogs, open dawn to dusk.
Devou Park
Leashed790 Park Ln, Covington, KY 41011
Covington's 700-plus acre city park with paved and natural walking trails and over 8 miles of mountain bike trails overlooking the city and Cincinnati.
Out and about
Pet-friendly places in Covington
Patios, shops, groomers, boarding and trainers that welcome pets. Policies change, so a quick call before you go never hurts.
Braxton Brewing Company
Dog-friendly patio27 W 7th St, Covington, KY 41011
This Covington taproom welcomes dogs on the main floor until 9pm, though dogs are not permitted on the rooftop.
Gypsy's
Dog-friendly patio641 Main St, Covington, KY 41011
A MainStrasse neighborhood bar with a four-season, dog-friendly patio.
Almost Home Pet Resort
Boarding and daycare3075 Sugar Camp Rd, Covington, KY 41017
A boarding and grooming facility for dogs and cats in South Covington, operating since 1995.
4 Hounds Gear & Grooming
Grooming339 W Pike St, Covington, KY 41011
A local dog grooming business and pet supply shop on West Pike Street in Covington.
Adopt local
Shelters and rescues serving Covington
Adoption hours and available animals change daily. Check each shelter's own site, and see our events page for adoption events this month.
Kenton County Animal Services
1020 Mary Laidley Drive, Covington, KY 41017
The county's no-kill animal shelter and animal control agency, handling adoption, fostering and pet surrender for Kenton County including Covington.
Covington pet questions, answered
Where is the dog park in Covington, KY?
The SFC Jason Bishop Memorial Dog Park is at 847 Philadelphia Street, at Ninth and Philadelphia. It is a free, fenced city park with separate small and large dog areas, open dawn to dusk. It opened in late 2022 as Covington's first dedicated dog park.
Do I have to license my cat in Covington?
Yes. Kenton County requires an annual license for both dogs and cats, with renewal due before March 1 and proof of a current rabies vaccination. Licensing is handled by Kenton County Animal Services, not the city.
Which Covington bars and breweries allow dogs?
Braxton Brewing Company on West 7th Street welcomes dogs on the main floor until 9 pm, though not on the rooftop. Gypsy's on Main Street in MainStrasse has a four-season dog-friendly patio. Policies change, so call ahead for a big group.
Can I take my dog to Devou Park?
Yes, on a leash. Devou Park has paved and natural walking trails and more than eight miles of mountain bike trails across 700-plus acres. The only off-leash area in Covington is the Jason Bishop Memorial Dog Park.
Where is the animal shelter for Covington?
Kenton County Animal Services at 1020 Mary Laidley Drive in South Covington is the county's no-kill shelter and animal control agency. It handles adoptions, fostering, lost pets and surrenders for Covington and the rest of Kenton County.
For Covington pet businesses
Serve pet owners in Covington? Get in front of them.
NatiPets reaches pet parents across Greater Cincinnati in print and online. Vets, groomers, trainers, boarding and pet-friendly businesses in Covington can be listed here and in the magazine.