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| Blog
by: Renee Robins, ACO, Owen Sound Animal Shelter |
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------------------- Recent Posts ------------------- |
Jul
29, 2011 _____________________________________________________________________________ |
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| Public
Assistance Request Concert Soup Pink Poodles Dog Bites Nose Bleed Session Benefit Concert Amimals in Cars Dogs Running Chicken Catcher Shepherd on the Loose This Little Piggie Little Piggie Update Mary |
Mary - Today, I met Mary. Mary named after Billy the Exterminator's wife apparently? She was the pet of a nine year old child and was a 3-4 ft Ball Python. Mary had been seen wrapped around the arms of this child who carries her proudly and who loves to spend time outdoors with her. Sadly, though I enjoyed my visit with her I was there to give a warning. In the city of Owen Sound there are strict guidelines about keeping exotic pets. Although Mary is permitted to be kept (as she is not a natural snake and MNR has no complaints, nor is she endangered) she is not permitted to leave her home outside of an enclosure. I need to add contained entirely, sealed, enclosure. It's never pleasant to be the bearer of bad news, but at least I did not have any back lash from this nine year old, or her parents.
When it was explained that it was in Mary's best interests to have her contained, they seemed to get it.
This is a note to snake owners in the City of Owen Sound, the same applies to
you ... and to others considering an exotic please know the rules. I did enjoy the visit, but prefer to do it
on different terms. Jul 28,
2011 Little Piggie Update - An update on the 'Little Piggie' from the finder:
It's quite the tail - we can
only hope the 'Little Piggie' finds his way home! Jul 27,
2011 This Little Piggie - This little piggy went to market, this little piggy stayed home and this little piggy went to Wiarton? Anyone missing a tiny black and white male pot belly pig? This fella arrived Sunday to a home in Wiarton and then escaped. He has been seen periodically since. Residents have sought him out, and tried to capture him, but it seems he's as slippery as a pig. They have decided to feed and attempt to entice him, hoping he is after all a little porker who enjoys pigging out. (And thus having a way to catch him). I have offered a few suggestions, pig in a blanket (lol)
live trap, and potentially a pig round up and net. I have offered any assistance, although again not my call, or my area,
I do enjoy the thought of helping out this little piggy. My fingers crossed for a speedy capture and my piggies
too! Jul 25,
2011 Shepherd on the Loose - Waaaay too much of my weekend was spent in search and in pursuit of a shepherd mix. Two calls Friday evening, two calls on Saturday, and one on Sunday had me driving in circles searching. This a dog we were familiar, we knew was a tough catch, and also knew that he was not the most friendly with strangers, therefore needed to be captured ASAP! The police assisted us in our search and contacted us at 8:30 am, again today, as he had once again returned to the same neighbourhood. After discussing this dog with them it seemed the owner retrieved it Friday and was warned Saturday and again had been advised to retrieve the dog again today. Grrrr to this! With a trap now set and a plan of action in play we await his next escape which I anticipate will be in the next 24 hours ... as history proves. There is really no excuse on their end for their dog to be running in danger, and to be placing people in danger. They have been warned, charges have been laid, and yet the dog is still running. Something tells me that perhaps this pooch is not in the best of homes? Parts crossed for a speedy capture, which does not involve any more driving in circles, as we really do have better things to do. Jul 21,
2011 Chicken Catcher - Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the other side? Why did the Animal Control Officer stand in the middle of the road? To be sure it made it safely. Why did the chicken cross it again? Likely as it did not know where home was. Why did the Animal Control Officer let it? She had no idea either!
It was a game of chicken today - and I was the
loser perhaps. As the chicken remained free roaming and I simply helped it.
Not knowing from where these chickens originated, it was impossible for me to return them, and there is nothing in my job description that allows for chicken catching.
I did what was best, escorted them to an enclosed location, and wished them the best.
My business card can now be found in the doors of everyone on the street. Jul 20,
2011 Dogs Running - The extreme heat, and scorching temperatures have made my job entirely difficult the last few days. Many calls with animals in distress, cranky animals responsible for many bites and people difficult to deal with have made it a very trying time. My concerns for those in the heat however outweigh my other issues, and sadly those left unattended are constantly on my mind. As I started my morning on the open line preaching to persons to please keep their pets cool, and providing water and shade, my afternoon was spent in hot pursuit blew that all out the window. It seems as though it was too hot to move, but does this not mean that dogs are not running. Today, I faced a new challenge. The hottest day I can remember, and two dogs running. Both with faces full of quills. Both facing exhaustion, and clearly dehydrated and suffering. Both needing immediate attention, and both running scared. To chase them means to continue to heat them. This over heating maybe resulting in heat stroke, potentially fatal. To leave them may mean the end of them. What call do you make?
As I perused them they staggered. The female fell twice. However, left ungathered, could they even drink water with a face and mouth full of quills? The choice I made was to continue on. Slowly! Luck was on my side, that and the fortune of connecting with a person with an enclosed garage, and a lending hand. It took over an hour to have both captured, and both were about as hot as we could be when it was all over - me too! I am glad to say, now cool, they have been given the medical help they needed, and an owner located.
I am happy this was the right decision and that it worked out all OK. PHEW! Jul 19,
2011 Animals in Cars - From Bayshore Broadcasting: Tuesday, July 19, 2011 Jul 18,
2011 Benefit Concert - It was the most perfect summer night in the most perfect location. The music was fantastic, and the entire event went off without any set backs.
The 1st Annual Concert was a great success in that we came together once again to support our cause, enjoyed the time together and celebrated making a difference.
As always I am forever greatful to those which attended, and those which participated to make our evening work beautifully.
Thank you to Teri and Shayna for security, Stephanie for all her assistance in set up, tear down etc.
Thank you to Bayshore Broadcasting for all advertising and for providing the mc.
Thanks to the volunteers who assisted at the door and with pizza, especially Angela and Aislyn.
My gratitude to Beckon, Tracy Rice, cocoa love Alcorn, Justin Burgess, and Skarni who without we would have had no concert, or one less entertaining?
Please support their music, you will be glad you did.
They rock! Jul 14,
2011 Nose Bleed Session - I spotted them up the beach easily as the dog ran up and down happily through the waves and then back along the shore. Sadly, I was about to ruin his fun as the bearer of bad news for his owner and he was about to be removed from the beach. As I walked along not liking having to be the bad guy, I braced for the reaction. Most give a little attitude until reminded of the fines and my ability to lay them. As I walked a long, I had a sneezing fit, this important as what happened next was pretty priceless as a result. I introduced myself as the Animal Control Officer. I reminded her of the by-laws and the sign she had walked right past. She stared at me disgusted, quickly grabbed the dog and proceeded to head off the beach. I felt it then ... that trickle of blood dripping down my chin. It seems I was sporting a nosebleed. As I attempted to contain it with the neck of my shirt, blood crept down my arm. I walked quickly back toward the vehicle and it was only after the third person asked me if I was OK, did I realize what had happened. Everyone believed she had hit me!! My apologies to anyone who witnessed this
event and please know that I'm fine and that nothing happened! Jul 13,
2011 Dog Bites - In three days there have been three dog bites reported. These three bites took place in the home. The biters were of no specific breed, and not all one sex. One was altered. I teach dog bite prevention, and preach the rules. Socialize your pups, spend time with them, get them altered, keep them healthy, keep them exercised. Know your dog, and know other dogs. By learning to see the signs, learn the warnings you can reduce the odds of ever being bitten, or having your dog involved in a bite. One I don't often mention is the heat. We discuss dog possessions, such as offspring and food causing a reaction from dogs, which is generally bad, but I don't think I have ever touched on this one. Although knowing your dog covers it, here's me now mentioning it. All three bites, in the last three days involved a hot and bothered pooch being cuddled. All three owners were not entirely surprised, and all victims seem to be understanding.
However, I'd rather never hear about this again. Let's let sleeping dogs lay, and hot dogs chill. Happy Birthday to Cedric who asked for donations to the animal Shelter in lieu of gifts for his tenth birthday! Jul 11,
2011 Pink Poodles - Today, while doing patrols, I nearly went off the road. Quickly distracted by a pink cotton candy coloured pooch had me doing a prompt turn around to head in that direction. I suspect there was concern when I chased her down, approached the vehicle and tapped on the window. I'm pretty certain she thought she was thinking she was in some sort of trouble. This likely very confusing as she was sporting her tag, leash and poop bag, and not on the beach. But it was a simple request, I needed a picture of that pup!
A recent blog about perhaps turning Harley into a pink Poodle in the hopes of finding him a home (yes a desperate attempt) sparked conversations in the background about Poodles in a variety of colours. After locating one, honestly my first, I just needed to prove they existed! A conversation with her owner had me smiling.
This pooch
is a celeb in town, and a walking advertisement for Heathers Poodle Cuts dog grooming.
She is unaware she is pink but does enjoy the attention it gets her. In her moms words "she does know she's beautiful".
Although I'm not sure I will be colouring our dogs any time soon (it's food dye and safe by the way) I must say if it makes you happy, and gets your pet spoiled to the point persons turn around on the street to stop and say hi, I
kind of like it. There is after all no such thing as too much love :) If it would share the love at the shelter I may perhaps consider adopting out pups of a different colour! Jul 8,
2011 Soup Soup - It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of our dear friend Soup Soup. A shelter pet for five years she was known and loved by many volunteers, many co-op students, persons passing through, hundreds of children and adults she visited.
A patient and forever kind creature who accepted each gentle hand willingly.
She enjoyed a warm lap, a gentle ear rub and will be remembered for her snuggles especially to those at Easter time.
Soup Soup, our Shelter rabbit, companion of the departed new guinea will be remembered fondly. Jul 6,
2011 Concert - The countdown is on and the excitement is growing! Ten days from today, is our 1st Annual Concert. Tickets are still available. With fantastic vendors and awesome entertainment it's sure to be a great evening. There is no cause more important to our operations than that of our surgical room. This keeps us operating, literally, helping us continue to be a no-kill shelter. Please continue to support us and join us in the party. You're going to love the event!
One of our vendors at this concert will be Scentsy 'Dress up a room with a Scentsy Warmer, add one of 80-plus fragrances, and enjoy!' Check out their website it's smelltastic! And the other is artsyjana's deviantART gallery Art - community of artists and those devoted to art. Digital art, skin art, themes, wallpaper art, traditional art, photography, poetry/prose. Art prints. Check
out our Facebook
page...» Jul 4,
2011 Public Assistance Request ... News
Feature
For Immediate Release July 04, 2011 Public
Assistance Request The
Grey Bruce Health Unit is seeking assistance from the public in finding
the owner of a dog involved in the biting incident described below. On
Thursday June 30, 2011 at approximately 10:30 am, a woman was bitten by a
chocolate lab she attempted to pet through the window of a black quad cab
Ford pick-up truck at the gas pumps of the Shell gas station in Markdale,
Ontario. Staff
of the Grey Bruce Health Unit need to confirm that the dog is not
infectious with rabies. By verifying the health of the dog, the victim can
avoid receiving the post-exposure rabies treatment. If you have any
information related to this incident, please contact the Grey Bruce Health
Unit at 519-376-9420, Ext 1225. This mailbox is checked regularly after
hours and on weekends. This
incident is also a reminder of the importance of not approaching wild,
stray or unfamiliar animals. For
more information: Robert
Hart Rabies
Program Manager Grey
Bruce Health Unit 519-376-9420
or 1-800-263-3456 ext. 1252 B.Hart@publichealthgreybruce.on.ca
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2000-2011 © Owen Sound Animal Shelter. All rights reserved. |
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