At the risk of sounding too negative, it seems at first blush that the New Year is so far, not that new at all....at least as far as the dog situation goes. Everyday, as I drive around town, I see dogs, dogs, dogs running loose.
And to add insult to injury, the vast majority of them not only have collars, but they have collars without tags. Rottweiler, Border Collie, Pointer. These are not mutts. We are talking potentially high dollar dogs here. So....whats up dog owners?
Now I understand that sometimes, things happen, and Fido will take off. But why anyone would go through all the trouble of buying an expensive dog, outfitting it with a collar, and then never bother to call once it goes missing remains a mystery to me.
Is a dogs life so worthless, that the responsible party can't even pick up a phone to report it missing, or check to see if it has been picked up? I mean, if you care so little about it...why even get it in the first place?
Well, I understand that we can't legislate common decency and morality. Too bad, because sometimes I can't help but think it would be a good thing. You know, I once heard somewhere that you can tell the measure of a society by the way we treat our animals.
Considering the number of dogs we run through our pound with a population of only around 2900 people or so...you can't help but wonder what that says about us!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
THANK YOU!
Just a special thank you to all who participated in the City Tag & Rabies Clinic we held on the 16th of February. And a special thanks to Dr. Droge and his staff for their participation as well. Obviously, having your pets tagged and vaccinated is important. The weather was nasty, and the roads were not much better, but if you braved it all to have your pet taken care of, you deserve a special thanks from all of us!
For those of you who missed us, just a reminder that it is vital you have your pets tagged and vaccinated. This year, Animal Control will be a little more proactive in checking for tags. So if you keep your dog chained up outside, please don't be surprised if I stop by to check their status.
Also, as a reminder, there is a new ordinance in effect for the tethering of your pets outside that will start to be enforced when the weather clears up. If you need a copy of this ordinace, please contact Animal Control and request a copy be mailed to you. Or, you can stop by where you pay your water bill, and request a copy there as well.
Finally, just a friendly reminder that there is an ordinance regarding cats as well. If you have a cat, they must also be tagged & vaccinated. If you allow your cat to run loose, it may be trapped along with many of the wild cats I trap every week. Without proper ID, I have no way of knowing a feral cat from a domesticated one, as a general rule. There are also many cat related diseases that your friendly tabby can contract from it's wilder friends if allowed to run loose, so please bear this in mind when considering allowing your cat to roam freely. Animal Control will be much more active this year in going after cats running at large, so please be advised, and act accordingly.
For those of you who missed us, just a reminder that it is vital you have your pets tagged and vaccinated. This year, Animal Control will be a little more proactive in checking for tags. So if you keep your dog chained up outside, please don't be surprised if I stop by to check their status.
Also, as a reminder, there is a new ordinance in effect for the tethering of your pets outside that will start to be enforced when the weather clears up. If you need a copy of this ordinace, please contact Animal Control and request a copy be mailed to you. Or, you can stop by where you pay your water bill, and request a copy there as well.
Finally, just a friendly reminder that there is an ordinance regarding cats as well. If you have a cat, they must also be tagged & vaccinated. If you allow your cat to run loose, it may be trapped along with many of the wild cats I trap every week. Without proper ID, I have no way of knowing a feral cat from a domesticated one, as a general rule. There are also many cat related diseases that your friendly tabby can contract from it's wilder friends if allowed to run loose, so please bear this in mind when considering allowing your cat to roam freely. Animal Control will be much more active this year in going after cats running at large, so please be advised, and act accordingly.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Dogs, dogs dogs....
"They're everywhere, they're everywhere!!!" Yep...I'm talking about dogs. I really shouldn't be...they are supposed to be restrained at home, instead of out wandering the neighborhood...but...you guessed it! No matter where I have gone for the past week, it's been a dog day afternoon!
I know, I know, that's why they pay me the big bucks. But frankly, I would be ok with being put of the "chase-your-loose-doggie" business. Really! I could take up needlepoint, work a few crossword puzzles...maybe even eat a few dozen doughnuts!
Now I know that sometimes, things happen, and Fido runs crazy throughout the neighborhood. But most of the dogs I have been chasing - and catching - lately, seem to be just running loose with little or no concern by the owners. How do I know that? Maybe because even though they have collars and are dragging six feet of chain behind them, no one ever bothers to call to see if they have been picked up. Not one call. Go figure!
So, in the hope that this message will be read by someone who still cares about their pets, please take note. If your dog gets loose, call me right away. I will help you find it if I can. It may even be that I have already found it, but because it was not properly tagged, I could not find it's home to return it. Hint, hint!
So, tag your pets. Please! It is the very best way to ensure they get home safely! The annual City Tag event will be coming up on February 16th, at Memorial Hall, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon. You can get those city tags and the required rabies shots all in one quick trip!
And please, if you have a dog that is not fixed, get it done as soon as you possibly can! It will help your pet live longer, stay closer to home, and be much easier on the budget when it's time to get those annual city tags. A mere $4.00 versus $30.00!
Lets work together this year to keep more dogs at home, and fewer at the City Pound. I like doughnuts! Really!
I know, I know, that's why they pay me the big bucks. But frankly, I would be ok with being put of the "chase-your-loose-doggie" business. Really! I could take up needlepoint, work a few crossword puzzles...maybe even eat a few dozen doughnuts!
Now I know that sometimes, things happen, and Fido runs crazy throughout the neighborhood. But most of the dogs I have been chasing - and catching - lately, seem to be just running loose with little or no concern by the owners. How do I know that? Maybe because even though they have collars and are dragging six feet of chain behind them, no one ever bothers to call to see if they have been picked up. Not one call. Go figure!
So, in the hope that this message will be read by someone who still cares about their pets, please take note. If your dog gets loose, call me right away. I will help you find it if I can. It may even be that I have already found it, but because it was not properly tagged, I could not find it's home to return it. Hint, hint!
So, tag your pets. Please! It is the very best way to ensure they get home safely! The annual City Tag event will be coming up on February 16th, at Memorial Hall, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon. You can get those city tags and the required rabies shots all in one quick trip!
And please, if you have a dog that is not fixed, get it done as soon as you possibly can! It will help your pet live longer, stay closer to home, and be much easier on the budget when it's time to get those annual city tags. A mere $4.00 versus $30.00!
Lets work together this year to keep more dogs at home, and fewer at the City Pound. I like doughnuts! Really!
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Brrrrrr!
Well, it's official! It's cold outside!!! I know this because of the thermometer hanging on the wall next to my Rocket Science Degree!
So, not that most of you need any reminding, let me play "mother hen" and remind everyone anyway that if you have a pet outdoors, PLEASE be sure they are set up with a warm environment for the weather conditions.
Just a few helpfull hints:
1. If you are using hay or straw for the dog house, check it every couple of days. Moisture can and will accumulate in the bedding, and it may need to be turned or changed if it gets wet. Not only that, but most pets like to "spread it around" a little bit, so they may not have as much in their dog house as they now do outside their dog house!
2. Check those water bowls everyday. It's supposed to get down to 12 degrees tonight, so you can be sure that water will freeze. And unless there is direct sunlight on the bowl during the day, it may not defrost enough to provide potable drinking water.
3. Be aware that if you put out canned food for you dog, it will freeze too. I know most people use dry, but that food can form ice crystals as well, and become soggy later as it thaws.
4. And finally, please be cautious about using creative means to warm your doggies house. Placing an unprotected light bulb attached to an extension cord inside the dog house, can be very hazardous to your dogs health. Not only can they be electrocuted if they chew through the cord, but they can be badly burned if they get too close to the hot bulb. Seems like common sense, I know...but if I mention it here, it's because it has already been tried by someone. Really!
Also, heating pads and those small lap-style electric blankets are just as dangerous. Really, if it is so cold that you think you need to try these things, then maybe it's cold enough to bring the pet indoors for a day or so!
Lastly, just a friendly reminder that we have our annual City Tag & Rabies Clinc at Memorial Hall coming up soon. This year it will be held on February 16th (Saturday), from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Dr. Droge and his staff will also be there to provide any shots your pet might need as well. Your dog or cat will need a current rabies shot to get their City tags...and yes, cats are required to have tags as well!
Tags for dogs that have NOT been fixed will be $30.00, with tags for NON fixed cats running $20.00. If your pet HAS been spayed or neutered, their tags will only cost $4.00. This will be the cheapest time of the year to get your tags if your pet has not been spayed or neutered. Each month after this clinic, a late fee will be assessed, so by August, those tags could be a little pricey! So get them now, and be ahead of the game!
So, not that most of you need any reminding, let me play "mother hen" and remind everyone anyway that if you have a pet outdoors, PLEASE be sure they are set up with a warm environment for the weather conditions.
Just a few helpfull hints:
1. If you are using hay or straw for the dog house, check it every couple of days. Moisture can and will accumulate in the bedding, and it may need to be turned or changed if it gets wet. Not only that, but most pets like to "spread it around" a little bit, so they may not have as much in their dog house as they now do outside their dog house!
2. Check those water bowls everyday. It's supposed to get down to 12 degrees tonight, so you can be sure that water will freeze. And unless there is direct sunlight on the bowl during the day, it may not defrost enough to provide potable drinking water.
3. Be aware that if you put out canned food for you dog, it will freeze too. I know most people use dry, but that food can form ice crystals as well, and become soggy later as it thaws.
4. And finally, please be cautious about using creative means to warm your doggies house. Placing an unprotected light bulb attached to an extension cord inside the dog house, can be very hazardous to your dogs health. Not only can they be electrocuted if they chew through the cord, but they can be badly burned if they get too close to the hot bulb. Seems like common sense, I know...but if I mention it here, it's because it has already been tried by someone. Really!
Also, heating pads and those small lap-style electric blankets are just as dangerous. Really, if it is so cold that you think you need to try these things, then maybe it's cold enough to bring the pet indoors for a day or so!
Lastly, just a friendly reminder that we have our annual City Tag & Rabies Clinc at Memorial Hall coming up soon. This year it will be held on February 16th (Saturday), from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Dr. Droge and his staff will also be there to provide any shots your pet might need as well. Your dog or cat will need a current rabies shot to get their City tags...and yes, cats are required to have tags as well!
Tags for dogs that have NOT been fixed will be $30.00, with tags for NON fixed cats running $20.00. If your pet HAS been spayed or neutered, their tags will only cost $4.00. This will be the cheapest time of the year to get your tags if your pet has not been spayed or neutered. Each month after this clinic, a late fee will be assessed, so by August, those tags could be a little pricey! So get them now, and be ahead of the game!
Friday, December 28, 2007
PLEASE...WATCH YOUR PETS!
Yesterday I had to impound two dogs. They were running at large, and had attacked a stray cat and killed it. There is still another pair of dogs out there that attacked a cat, and injured it badly enough it had to be euthanized.
The issue of them running at large to begin with aside, there is the issue of animals attacking and killing other animals which can never be condoned, regardless of whether the victims are stray or not.
The first problem is that we have far too many people who still feel it is ok to let Fido out to run around unsupervised. It's not. Today a stray cat, tomorrow a small dog...or a child running around in their own yard. We all would like to believe our pets are not capable of such things...but the reality is always a little more tragic.
The second problem is that many dogs are not being properly socialized, with people and with other animals. The end result is often tragic, not only for the victim of the attack, but for the attacking pet as well. Even more tragic is that this could all be prevented in the first place.
A new year is just around the corner. My hope is that all pet owners will realize the potential difficulties that can arise from not watching your pets when they are outside. All dogs and cats that reside within the city limits of Eureka are required to have current City tags and Rabies tags. All pets outdoors are required to be properly restrained, either on a lead or inside a fenced enclosure, unless they are under the direct control of the owner in their front yard. If you take you dog for a walk, it must be on a leash.
There will be a change this upcoming year, making violations of these ordinances even more costly for the owner than they are now. So please, watch your pets when they are outdoors. It is never permissible to just open the door & let them roam free to "do their business", while you busy yourself with checking your mail or fixing that cup of coffee. The excuse of " I just let them out for a minute..." will not help if your dog is picked up for running at large, especially if they injured or killed another animal while doing so. For those pet owners who feel so inclined, they may even choose to pursue legal avenues against irresponisible pet owners who have pets that attack & kill other beloved pets. And if these animals attack a person, a lawsuit is almost a certainty.
So make a New Years Resolution to spend more time with your dogs this year, and get them properly trained & socialized. Your pets will be better for the effort, and the community as a whole will be much safer too! And get those tags! That way if by some fluke of circumstance, your pet should escape its enclosure, we can make sure they get home as soon as possible. Let's work together in this New Year to make our community more pet responsible. Everyone will benefit from the effort!
The issue of them running at large to begin with aside, there is the issue of animals attacking and killing other animals which can never be condoned, regardless of whether the victims are stray or not.
The first problem is that we have far too many people who still feel it is ok to let Fido out to run around unsupervised. It's not. Today a stray cat, tomorrow a small dog...or a child running around in their own yard. We all would like to believe our pets are not capable of such things...but the reality is always a little more tragic.
The second problem is that many dogs are not being properly socialized, with people and with other animals. The end result is often tragic, not only for the victim of the attack, but for the attacking pet as well. Even more tragic is that this could all be prevented in the first place.
A new year is just around the corner. My hope is that all pet owners will realize the potential difficulties that can arise from not watching your pets when they are outside. All dogs and cats that reside within the city limits of Eureka are required to have current City tags and Rabies tags. All pets outdoors are required to be properly restrained, either on a lead or inside a fenced enclosure, unless they are under the direct control of the owner in their front yard. If you take you dog for a walk, it must be on a leash.
There will be a change this upcoming year, making violations of these ordinances even more costly for the owner than they are now. So please, watch your pets when they are outdoors. It is never permissible to just open the door & let them roam free to "do their business", while you busy yourself with checking your mail or fixing that cup of coffee. The excuse of " I just let them out for a minute..." will not help if your dog is picked up for running at large, especially if they injured or killed another animal while doing so. For those pet owners who feel so inclined, they may even choose to pursue legal avenues against irresponisible pet owners who have pets that attack & kill other beloved pets. And if these animals attack a person, a lawsuit is almost a certainty.
So make a New Years Resolution to spend more time with your dogs this year, and get them properly trained & socialized. Your pets will be better for the effort, and the community as a whole will be much safer too! And get those tags! That way if by some fluke of circumstance, your pet should escape its enclosure, we can make sure they get home as soon as possible. Let's work together in this New Year to make our community more pet responsible. Everyone will benefit from the effort!
Thursday, December 13, 2007
START PLANNING NOW!
Well, it is a little early, but I thought I would just get a jump on it this year. What am I referring to? The annual Rabies Clinic we hold every year at Memorial Hall.
This coming new year it will be in February, on the 16th...that's a Saturday...from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. As usual, we will be selling the City Tags for your dogs and cats(proof of rabies vaccination required). And as luck would have it, our local Vet staff will also be on hand to give Fido & Fluffy all the shots they need as well.
I do want to emphasize one point. If you wish to get City tags for your pet - and I would hope you would - this would be the very best time to do it. This will be the time when tags for your un-spayed or neutered pet will be the least expensive. After this point, there will be a late fee assessed each month throughout the rest of the year, and that could make it quite a bit more expensive later in the year if your pet should be picked up for some reason.
Tags for animals that have been fixed will be approximately $4.00, with tags for animals that have not been fixed at approximately $24.00. Later in the year, these same tags could run double that...so plan ahead now, and get them while they are at the best price. Also, as an added incentive, every effort will be made to return pets that are properly tagged home, before they are taken to the pound. You may still incur a ticket for your pet running at large depending on the circumstances, but the savings might make the difference between being able to afford to bring your pet home from the pound or not.
So be sure to mark this date on your calendar. You & your pet will be glad you did!
This coming new year it will be in February, on the 16th...that's a Saturday...from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. As usual, we will be selling the City Tags for your dogs and cats(proof of rabies vaccination required). And as luck would have it, our local Vet staff will also be on hand to give Fido & Fluffy all the shots they need as well.
I do want to emphasize one point. If you wish to get City tags for your pet - and I would hope you would - this would be the very best time to do it. This will be the time when tags for your un-spayed or neutered pet will be the least expensive. After this point, there will be a late fee assessed each month throughout the rest of the year, and that could make it quite a bit more expensive later in the year if your pet should be picked up for some reason.
Tags for animals that have been fixed will be approximately $4.00, with tags for animals that have not been fixed at approximately $24.00. Later in the year, these same tags could run double that...so plan ahead now, and get them while they are at the best price. Also, as an added incentive, every effort will be made to return pets that are properly tagged home, before they are taken to the pound. You may still incur a ticket for your pet running at large depending on the circumstances, but the savings might make the difference between being able to afford to bring your pet home from the pound or not.
So be sure to mark this date on your calendar. You & your pet will be glad you did!
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
ARE YOU READY FOR WINTER?
Yep...Ole' Man Winter will soon be upon us. Are you ready yet? Got those ear muffs and mittens handy? How about that warm fuzzy blanket to curl up with in front of that roaring fire place?
I only ask, because the odds are pretty good there are a lot of pooches out there without the benefit of even a decent dog house for the winter... let alone a fuzzy blanket to curl up with.
Which brings me to my Christmas wish for this year. Dog houses for all that need them. There are many people - maybe you even know one or two - that have a dog outside, and they really need a dog house, but just can't afford one for whatever reason.
My sense is, we can always argue the other 11 months of the year over whether or not someone should even have a pet they cannot afford to provide for...and that includes shelter. But this month, in the spirit of the Christmas season, let us just help those who for whatever reason, cannot help themselves...or their dogs. If you have the means to do so, help a neighbor, or a friend, or your local shelter. If you have an old Igloo style dog house that is no longer needed, donate it to one of the above mentioned entities. Or if you can afford it, maybe buy one for someones pet, and give Fido a Christmas to remember too!
If you don't know someone who needs one, you may donate one to your local shelter. If they are like me, they have a short list of people who have requested one, or who we know could use one, as a function of our daily travels at work. I can assure you, if you choose to donate one to our shelter, there are several needy families & pets that would be very grateful.
I am quite sure Santa will be very happy with you! I know the doggies will be too!
I only ask, because the odds are pretty good there are a lot of pooches out there without the benefit of even a decent dog house for the winter... let alone a fuzzy blanket to curl up with.
Which brings me to my Christmas wish for this year. Dog houses for all that need them. There are many people - maybe you even know one or two - that have a dog outside, and they really need a dog house, but just can't afford one for whatever reason.
My sense is, we can always argue the other 11 months of the year over whether or not someone should even have a pet they cannot afford to provide for...and that includes shelter. But this month, in the spirit of the Christmas season, let us just help those who for whatever reason, cannot help themselves...or their dogs. If you have the means to do so, help a neighbor, or a friend, or your local shelter. If you have an old Igloo style dog house that is no longer needed, donate it to one of the above mentioned entities. Or if you can afford it, maybe buy one for someones pet, and give Fido a Christmas to remember too!
If you don't know someone who needs one, you may donate one to your local shelter. If they are like me, they have a short list of people who have requested one, or who we know could use one, as a function of our daily travels at work. I can assure you, if you choose to donate one to our shelter, there are several needy families & pets that would be very grateful.
I am quite sure Santa will be very happy with you! I know the doggies will be too!
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