Oklahoma City pet of the week
Cisco, a Labrador mix
Cisco is an adorable medium-size Labrador mix. He is gentle and well mannered, and he knows some basic commands. Cisco is a wonderful walking companion. He’s housebroken and likes dogs of all sizes. His shelter number is 70155.
The Oklahoma City Animal Shelter is having a special event, Dog Days of Summer, during the month of August, and the adoption fee for both cats and dogs has been reduced to $25. This includes spay or neuter, shots and health check.
Pictures of many of the adoption pets can be seen at www.okc.petfinder.com and www.okc.gov.
The shelter, 2811 SE 29, is open from noon to 5:45 p.m. seven days a week for adoptions, and from 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. seven days a week for receiving.
For more information, call 297-3100.
Dog saves cats – really
As if we needed evidence that dogs have good souls, a dog in Reno, Nev., rescused a litter of abandoned kittens. A boxer-pit mix named Angel discovered the six kittens in the bushes and refused to leave until her owner took a look. Angel’s owner found what the dog discovered and turned the kitties over to the local Humane Society. I’m sure those little ones will be adopted soon.
Staff Writer Dawn Marks
Ugly dogs need more love, fewer songs
Cute animals are always the ones who are adopted first, but ugly dogs need loving homes, too.
So what better way to draw attention to the issue than to record a CD?
Clearly.
The “Ugly Dogs Need More Love” album is the most recent put out by Laurel Canyon Animal Company, which produces music about and with animals.
You can listen to a clip of the title track song. It’s bluesy and sad, but I guess that’s how I’d feel if I was an ugly dog in a pound.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Pet Show – Reading to dogs in The Village
Check out our special edition of Pet Show this week! We went to The Village Library to find out more about the Metropolitan Library System’s Reading to Dogs program. Shocking news: it was precious!
Read the full story (to a dog or to yourself) about the program here. Or find a Reading to Dogs site close to you.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Oklahoma pet owners can be prepared for flooding
Emergency workers are evacuating parts of Canadian County this morning because of dangerous flooding. No doubt many of the homeowners are pet owners, too. When disaster strikes, being prepared is key.
The ASPCA offers these tips if you have to evacuate your home:
- - Make sure your pets have identification and collars, even if you have to improvise. ID tags should have the animal’s name, your phone number and any pertinent medical info.
- - Keep your animals indoors (or in the car with you) as much as possible. Disaster situations are scary for animals and people, and you want to reduce the chance your pet will take off.
- - Stay at a pet-friendly place. Don’t leave your animals in the car if they can’t stay in a shelter or hotel. (TripsWithPets.com offers a list of pet-friendly hotels in Oklahoma.)
- - Bird owners: make sure your bird’s leg has an ID band and have photos of your bird available. Cover your bird’s cage to reduce stress. Use a timed feeder in case you have to leave your pet unattended.
- - Reptile owners: traveling temporarily with your snake in a pillowcase is OK, but try to find a more secure situation as soon as possible. Keep track of your reptile’s body temperature.
- - Small animal owners: like birds, try to keep your animals as calm as possible by finding a secure, quiet location.
If you can prepare ahead of time, do so. Disasters like the Canadian County flooding remind all of us to be ready. The Humane Society of the United States offers this list of necessary items to have on hand in case of emergency:
- - Food and water for at least five days and a manual can opener if necessary.
- - Medicine, medical records and the name and number of your vet.
- - Cat litter and litter box.
- - A sturdy leash, harness or carrier.
- - Current photos of your pet.
- - Pet beds and toys.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Animal cruelty: Oklahoma laws ahead of Pennsylvania
By now most pet owners have heard about the horrible shooting deaths of about 80 dogs in Pennsylvania. The owners shot and killed the dogs after inspectors told them to improve conditions and provide proper care, such as flea treatment.
The catch: what they did was legal.
Kennel owners in Pennsylvania are allowed to dispose of their animals however they chose. The shootings were considered euthanasia – not animal cruelty. Now the governor is calling for a new law that would require a veterinarian to perform euthanasia, among other requirements that would help animals in the state.
Turns out, Oklahoma animals are lucky enough to protected by stricter laws. Catherine English, director of Animal Welfare in Oklahoma City, sent me this handy link to Oklahoma animal cruelty laws. Our laws govern both public and private animal institutions. So even though cruelty can and does happen, Oklahoma law enforcement is better capable to may the culprits pay for their crimes.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Oklahoma City Pet of the Week
Freda, a 5-year-old shepherd, and Cookie, a 6-year-old heeler mix
Freda is a fluffy 5-year-old shepherd, and Cookie, her best friend, is a sweet 6-year-old heeler mix. They came into the Oklahoma City Animal Shelter together and are best buddies. We are hoping they go to the same home. If your family is thinking about adopting two dogs, Freda and Cookie would be a perfect pick. They are both easygoing and well mannered, and they are housebroken and like other dogs. Our veterinarian has treated Cookie for heartworms. She would like to thank the Healing Hearts Fund for paying for her treatment. Their shelter numbers are 66997 and 66998.The Oklahoma City Animal Shelter is having a special event, Dog Days of Summer, during the month of August, and the adoption fee for both cats and dogs has been reduced to $25. This includes spay or neuter, shots and health check. Pictures of many of the adoption pets can be seen at www.okc.petfinder.com and www.okc.gov. The shelter, 2811 SE 29, is open from noon to 5:45 p.m. seven days a week for adoptions, and from 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. seven days a week for receiving. For more information, call 297-3100.
Ride ‘em Cow … pig?
I’d always heard pigs were smart but this wild pig named Squeaky, who lives on Nolan Ryan’s ranch in Texas, really exceeds my expectations. She’s smart enough to herd cattle and seems to have the farm’s manager wrapped around her little hoof. Ranch manager Mike Veara found Squeaky when she was a baby and raised her himself, so her devotion to him probably isn’t a surprise. Squeaky acts as a watch pig for the ranch and often gets treats like cookies and marshmallows. She has been known, however, to raid the ranch refrigerator. Though Veara indulges Squeaky’s sweet tooth, he draws the line at too much candy.
Staff Writer Dawn Marks
Update: Missing dog found in Oklahoma City!
Lola, a shih tzu missing for two weeks in Oklahoma City, has been found! Read my column about her here. She turned up near NW 10 and Lincoln, inside the campus fences at the Oklahoma School for Science and Mathematics. Congrats to her family!
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
The hunt continues for missing Oklahoma City dog
Lola is still missing. I wrote a column about the missing pup last week, and I've had several calls from readers concerned about her whereabouts. Lola ran away in downtown Oklahoma City, and a team of search-and-rescue dogs last detected her scent in the Paseo District. She still is on the run, but her owners say they've had a few leads. Here's an email I recieved from one of the owners: "Two different people say they spotted her at NW 10 and Lincoln. She is dirty and skinny. I hope that it is her. She is still very scared, so if they could call either 405-201-0310 or 405-229-4335, we will come get her. The pet detective is scared that she might not even come to us, so if we could get the message out not to chase her, that would be great! Thank you so much for your help. Please say a special prayer!"
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
