Why dogs aren’t allowed to play baseball
Meet Mona. The seven-month-old beagle mix was the Northwest Arkansas Naturals’ Iams Adoptable Pet of the Game at a recent minor league baseball game. But she wasn’t content with her brief appearance and decided to do some “relief” work. Unfortunately, it was in the outfield and had nothing to do with pitching.
The good news is, Mona found a home, as did two other pups at her shelter, when folks began lining up the next day to adopt her.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
Rescue group robbed, dogs stolen
A dog rescue group is looking for help after someone robbed their Doggie Care Center in Johnson City, Tenn.
The group, led by Tammara Josselyn, keeps all its rescue animals in the center while they are nursed back to health so they can be adopted. Josselyn’s niece, who lives in an apartment above the center, came down to check on the dogs when they wouldn’t top barking in the middle of the night.
She was confronted by the robbers, one of whom pulled a knife and cut her. The woman was treated at a nearby hospital. The robbers made of with 14 dogs. Twelve were dobermans, one was a labrador retriever and one was a miniature pinscher. Some of the dogs have special medical needs.
Animal advocates in the area fear the robbery could be the work of a local dogfighting ring. There has been a strong of break-ins at shelters recently, with thieves taking large breeds known to be used by dogfighters, along with declawed cats, puppies and small dogs.
The small animals are used as bait to test the larger dogs’ fighting instincts. They are often mauled and killed. As the owner of a miniature pinscher mix, this story is particularly disturbing to me.
Supporters have set up a Web site with the full story along with photos and contact information for anyone who might be able to help bring these dogs home.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
Pets in the paper – goodbye, lions
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Crowds bid cubs farewell. (Oklahoma City)
- Books get different kinds of dog ears in library program. (Nicoma Park)
- Project Wild session trains teachers. (Edmond)
- Zooming in to spot Thunderbird’s birds. (Lake Thunderbird, photos)
- Stray little orphan finds role in “Annie.” (Ada)
- Alpacas at ranch provide couple with fleece, fun. (Fletcher)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
How to help animals in Haiti
As aid pours into Haiti from around the world, animal advocates have joined together to help pets in the country devastated by a major earthquake and its aftershocks. Several organizations are partnering to create the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti, according to a press release issued this afternoon. You can donate to the three largest groups here:
- The American Humane Association
- The World Society for the Protection of Animals
- The International Fund for Animal Welfare
These are all reputable groups, but I would be sure to include a note in any online donations that the money is specifically for relief in Haiti.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
OKC Pet of the Week
Fred, 2-year-old Labrador mix
ADOPT A PET
Fred is an adorable 2-year-old Labrador mix. He has short legs that make him look like a Basset hound. Fred was born with one back paw that has only one toe. It does not inhibit his ability to run and play. Fred likes other dogs and he is housebroken. Pictures of many pets available for adoption can be seen at www.okc.petfinder.com and www.okc.gov.
The shelter is at 2811 SE 29 and is open from noon to 5:45 p.m. daily for adoptions and from 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. daily for receiving. For more information, call 297-3100.
Pets in the paper – the lions are leavin’
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Four lions born at city zoo are moving to Texas exhibit. (Oklahoma City)
- Weekend dog/cat adoption event planned at Quail Springs Mall. (Oklahoma City)
- Wild pigs close autobahn. (Germany)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Emergency fosters needed in Ardmore
Here’s some information from Ardmore Animal Care:
Bailey and her puppies are in desperate need of foster care. She arrived at our animal shelter heavy pregnant and delivered these adorable little 8 puppies within an hour of checking in! It is almost impossible for puppies to survive in an animal shelter environment, the stress level is just too high. The pups can’t be adopted because they need their mother and Bailey can’t be adopted because she needs to nurse her puppies.
Bailey is a beautiful young adult, yellow Labrador Retriever. She is very calm, quiet and loving. She walks on a leash and sits when you ask her or when you are petting her. She really likes to be with people.
If anyone can find it in their heart and their home to provide foster care for Bailey and her pups for the next 6-8 weeks, we will provide you with food and any minor pre-approved medical care. Then, when the pups are weaned, just bring them all back to us and we can try to find new loving adoptive homes for everyone. And as a bonus… if you decide to adopt Bailey or one of her pups, their adoption fee will be 1/2 PRICE.
Give us a call at 580-223-7070 if you are interested in being a Foster Family to Bailey and her puppies. Their lives depend on it!
Dognappers run amok!
Apparently dog thefts are on the rise. Through last month, the American Kennel Club has tracked more than 115 stolen pet stories this year. The group only heard of 71 thefts all of last year. Here’s some more info from AKC:
The FBI’s National Crime Information Center (NCIC), which tracks stolen property nationwide, currently lists 200 stolen dogs, according to Steve Fischer, FBI Spokesperson. According to Fischer, “Dogs listed in our database must have permanent owner-applied serial numbers, such as those from embedded microchips. Unfortunately not all dogs have permanent ID, so we know this is only a fraction of the number of missing dogs.”
Earlier this year, a bill was introduced in Texas which would have made it a state felony to steal a pet, including the family dog, with a possible two years in prison if convicted. California and Delaware have tried to regulate roadside pet sales as a way to combat the trafficking of stolen pets to unsuspecting consumers.
Keep your pet safe:
- Keep your dog leashed.
- Don’t leave your dog alone in the yard, in your car or tied up outside a store.
- Have your pet microchipped.
What to do in a worst-case scenario:
- Call the police.
- Search the neighborhood.
- Post fliers. (This is why it’s important to have a current photo of your pet!)
How can you curb pet theft:
- Don’t buy dogs from the Internet, flea markets or roadside vendors. (Better yet – ADOPT!)
- Use reputable breeders and adoption agencies.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Catmas! Catmas! Catmas!
Though we generally discourage randomly giving animals as presents here on Pet Show, we absolutely encourage those of you who’ve been thinknig about getting a cat to take advantage of Catmas!
The Central Oklahoma Humane Society (OK Humane) is excited to announce the “12 Days of Catmas” – a cat adoption event beginning on December 11th and running through December 24th. In an effort to adopt out 200 cats during the 12-day period, OK Humane is offering cat adoption fees of only $12.00. Normal adoption fees are $70.00!
The OK Humane adoption fee includes the following procedures: spay/neuter, de-worming, vaccinations, flea/tick treatment, microchip and snap test. In addition to the adoption discount, all kitty retail at the OK Humane Adoption Center will be 10% off.
“We have 200 cats in our adoption program currently and we are determined to get them all into a home before the holidays! What could be a better holiday gift than a new companion?” said OK Humane Director Christy Counts.
The Catmas special is one of many future efforts to offer deeply discounted adoption fees in an effort to save more lives. OK Humane and the Oklahoma City Animal Welfare Division have teamed up to form a collective goal of 3,000 more adoptions in 2010.
“The Oklahoma City Animal Welfare Division will benefit greatly if the 12 Days of Catmas is successful. If OK Humane does indeed adopt out 200 animals during the special then we will be able to send another 200 animals to the OK Humane Adoption Program!” said Catherine English, the Division Manager of OKC Animal Welfare.
Potential adopters can take advantage of the special at the OK Humane Adoption Center located at 7500 North Western Avenue. The Adoption Center will be open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Edmond Pets of the Week
Lilly is a spayed female, white and tan Fox Terrier – Smooth Mix. She is current on her vaccinations and is about three years old.. She has been at the shelter since Dec. 1.Ruby is a spayed female, tricolor Parson (Jack) Russell terrier and schnauzer – miniature. She is about five months old and is current on her vaccinations. She has been at the shelter since Nov. 23.
Adoption fees are $70 for cats and dogs at Edmond Animal Welfare Shelter, 2424 Old Timbers Drive in Cross Timbers Municipal Complex off Covell Road east of Interstate 35. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Saturdays are for adoptions and pickups only.
For more information, call 216-7615.
