This is just a sincere "Thank You!" to all who participated in the Annual City Tag & Rabies Clinic, held this past Saturday, February 21st.
Last count was at 105 tags sold, which was double what we did last year. And today Monday), I know others came and purchased their tags, since they were unable to make it Saturday.
Obviously, we all know there are many more than 105 dogs and cats living within the city limits. But, now that the price of tags has been lowered, it is hoped that it will make it easier for all to get their tags throughout the year, and getting the tags is what is truly important...no matter when it happens!
So thanks again to all who participated, and a special thank you to Dr. Droge and his staff, who worked very hard to keep up with the long lines. We are talking about even trying to do another one in a few months. We'll keep you posted!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
ANNUAL CITY TAG & RABIES CLINIC
If your pets could talk…they’d be telling you that you need to come to the Clinic this coming Saturday, February 21st, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and get their City tags and rabies shots! The Clinic will be held at Memorial Hall.
The cost of City tags for all dogs and cats that have not been fixed is now only $6.00! It is $4.00 for those that have been spayed or neutered.
Doctor Droge and his fine staff will also be present to get those rabies shots – which are required to get City tags – and any other shots your pets might need. He will be offering all shots and worming treatments at a discounted price…so now is the time to get them done!
If your pet is current on its rabies vaccination, please bring proof with you to the Clinic.
Current City tags and rabies vaccinations are required all dogs & cats living within the city limits. Tags are required, whether or not the pet is an inside animal or not. City tags are required on all puppies and kittens, regardless of age. Rabies shots are not required on animals under six months of age.
Any questions should be directed to the Animal Control Officer : 750-0302, or the City Clerk : 583-6511
The cost of City tags for all dogs and cats that have not been fixed is now only $6.00! It is $4.00 for those that have been spayed or neutered.
Doctor Droge and his fine staff will also be present to get those rabies shots – which are required to get City tags – and any other shots your pets might need. He will be offering all shots and worming treatments at a discounted price…so now is the time to get them done!
If your pet is current on its rabies vaccination, please bring proof with you to the Clinic.
Current City tags and rabies vaccinations are required all dogs & cats living within the city limits. Tags are required, whether or not the pet is an inside animal or not. City tags are required on all puppies and kittens, regardless of age. Rabies shots are not required on animals under six months of age.
Any questions should be directed to the Animal Control Officer : 750-0302, or the City Clerk : 583-6511
Monday, February 2, 2009
A friendly dog is a good dog!
Many years ago, I learned in a psychology class while in college about the detrimental effects of proper external stimuli on animals (both the two and the four legged variety), and how it can adversley affect them as they get older.
An example in our text book reflected on two groups of kittens. One group was allowed to roam free, and do what kittens do...climb, jump, play fight, play with toys, chase string and so on.
Another group was deprived of those experiences. They were kept in an area that was comfortable, but devoid of the space needed to learn play, develop proper socialization skills with other animals, and devoid of changes in their external stimuli. The area they were kept was always lit, very quiet and they were kept from prolonged exposure to other of their kind.
The findings of this study were quite informative. The kittens who were exposed to an open, stimulus filled existence, were able to jump up and down at will on things like furniture. They had no apparent fear of heights, reacted in a positive manner when exposed to other kittens from outside their control group, and enjoyed play activities.
The kittens that were deprived of the same open environment were not well developed. The would not jump up on furniture - like chairs or couches. When placed up on these items, they were afraid to jump down. They did not climb like normal kittens, and when exposed to high levels of external stimuli - like screaming children, loud music, etc., they became very fearful and withdrawn. They exhibited anti-social behavior when exposed to others of their age group and species. When presented with toys, or string to chase, they just sat there and stared at them. Also, because they were never exposed to darkness, they showed a marked lack of development with regards to their night vision ability, and so they also became fearful of darkened spaces, because they could not navigate like normal.
Why do I relate this story? Mainly because on my daily travels around Eureka, I often encounter many animals that display the unfortunate behaviorial symptoms of those under stimulated kittens. These animals tend to be fearful of people, agressive towards people and/or other animals - even of their own species - and are fearful of doing things that normal animals would take for granted...like playing with toys, jumping up onto a seat in a vehicle, or walking on a leash. Often, these animals are not even trained well enough to come when called by their own name.
Many of these animals have not been properly socialized, spending much - if not all -of their lives at the end of chain in the back yard. Not much use for a name if they are left to chase their tails all day as they wrap those chains around a tree.
No need to learn to come to their name when they are called either, since once they are finally free to run, they have no intention of returning to the meager existence from which they just escaped. They view most other animals as either threats to their personal safety, or competition for mates or food. People walking, other animals attempting to be sociable, children playing are all seen as things to fear. In the animal kingdom, you either run from what you fear...or you try and dominate it.
The point of this article is not about whether or not an animal should be chained up or not. It is about the need to properly socialize our pets. Not just to other animals, but most importantly to people. Walking people, people riding bicycles, children running and shouting. All the things that normal people do everyday. Your dog does not have to be so well socialized that it would rather sleep in your neighbors bed than yours...but it should not try and bite your neighbors hand off when offered either. It should be trained to learn and respond to its named being called, even by your neighbor. It should not chase people walking or riding a bike in a threatening manner, and it should never chase and try and bite children runnning in play.
The good news is that when the deprived group of kittens were provided with the necessary stimuli need for proper growth and development, they began to act as kittens should. After three months of normal exposure to all the things they lacked, they were all at the same point of development as their peers from the first group. By the age of nine months, all the kittens from both groups were perfectly normal. Well socialized and happy!
Your pet can also be properly socialized - even in the later periods of its life. Although studies show that the maximum benefit of training comes in the early stages of its life as a puppy, training can also be very effective even as late as six or seven years old. It also proves that you can teach an old dog new tricks!
These studies also show that a well socialized animal is happier, less destructive to its home environment, and more tolerant of other animals - often even those of a different species, like cats. So take a little extra time with your dog. Ten minutes a day, every day to start. It will pay diividends down the road for you and your pet. And remember, a freindly dog is a good dog! All dogs want to be good...they just need us to show them the way!
An example in our text book reflected on two groups of kittens. One group was allowed to roam free, and do what kittens do...climb, jump, play fight, play with toys, chase string and so on.
Another group was deprived of those experiences. They were kept in an area that was comfortable, but devoid of the space needed to learn play, develop proper socialization skills with other animals, and devoid of changes in their external stimuli. The area they were kept was always lit, very quiet and they were kept from prolonged exposure to other of their kind.
The findings of this study were quite informative. The kittens who were exposed to an open, stimulus filled existence, were able to jump up and down at will on things like furniture. They had no apparent fear of heights, reacted in a positive manner when exposed to other kittens from outside their control group, and enjoyed play activities.
The kittens that were deprived of the same open environment were not well developed. The would not jump up on furniture - like chairs or couches. When placed up on these items, they were afraid to jump down. They did not climb like normal kittens, and when exposed to high levels of external stimuli - like screaming children, loud music, etc., they became very fearful and withdrawn. They exhibited anti-social behavior when exposed to others of their age group and species. When presented with toys, or string to chase, they just sat there and stared at them. Also, because they were never exposed to darkness, they showed a marked lack of development with regards to their night vision ability, and so they also became fearful of darkened spaces, because they could not navigate like normal.
Why do I relate this story? Mainly because on my daily travels around Eureka, I often encounter many animals that display the unfortunate behaviorial symptoms of those under stimulated kittens. These animals tend to be fearful of people, agressive towards people and/or other animals - even of their own species - and are fearful of doing things that normal animals would take for granted...like playing with toys, jumping up onto a seat in a vehicle, or walking on a leash. Often, these animals are not even trained well enough to come when called by their own name.
Many of these animals have not been properly socialized, spending much - if not all -of their lives at the end of chain in the back yard. Not much use for a name if they are left to chase their tails all day as they wrap those chains around a tree.
No need to learn to come to their name when they are called either, since once they are finally free to run, they have no intention of returning to the meager existence from which they just escaped. They view most other animals as either threats to their personal safety, or competition for mates or food. People walking, other animals attempting to be sociable, children playing are all seen as things to fear. In the animal kingdom, you either run from what you fear...or you try and dominate it.
The point of this article is not about whether or not an animal should be chained up or not. It is about the need to properly socialize our pets. Not just to other animals, but most importantly to people. Walking people, people riding bicycles, children running and shouting. All the things that normal people do everyday. Your dog does not have to be so well socialized that it would rather sleep in your neighbors bed than yours...but it should not try and bite your neighbors hand off when offered either. It should be trained to learn and respond to its named being called, even by your neighbor. It should not chase people walking or riding a bike in a threatening manner, and it should never chase and try and bite children runnning in play.
The good news is that when the deprived group of kittens were provided with the necessary stimuli need for proper growth and development, they began to act as kittens should. After three months of normal exposure to all the things they lacked, they were all at the same point of development as their peers from the first group. By the age of nine months, all the kittens from both groups were perfectly normal. Well socialized and happy!
Your pet can also be properly socialized - even in the later periods of its life. Although studies show that the maximum benefit of training comes in the early stages of its life as a puppy, training can also be very effective even as late as six or seven years old. It also proves that you can teach an old dog new tricks!
These studies also show that a well socialized animal is happier, less destructive to its home environment, and more tolerant of other animals - often even those of a different species, like cats. So take a little extra time with your dog. Ten minutes a day, every day to start. It will pay diividends down the road for you and your pet. And remember, a freindly dog is a good dog! All dogs want to be good...they just need us to show them the way!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
