On Tuesday, the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s Spay Waggin’ was in Fall River at the Fall River Fire Museum at 1181 North Main Street to spay 30 animals as part of an ongoing collaborative effort with ARL, the Massachusetts Animal Fund (MAF) and Fall River Animal Control.

For four years, ARL hosted the clinic in conjunction with MAF and Fall River Animal Control. The surgeries are under the MAF voucher program, which distributes vouchers to eligible low-income pet owners to cover the cost of the important procedure.

Due to high demand, many customers have been on a waiting list for several months to have their pets neutered, and ARL is pleased to once again provide this vital service that the Fall River community sorely needs.

“Fall River is already a struggling community, but since the pandemic, it seems getting spay services has proven even more difficult,” said Cynthia Berard-Cadima, Fall River animal control manager. “People contact us daily asking for funds. Many are out of work and our homeless community is growing. We stretch every penny and our veterinarians give more of their time and services than ever before. »

Customers began arriving with their pets around 8:30 a.m. and will pick up their pets in the afternoon after surgery and recovery time.

Clinics like this that provide subsidized neutering and spaying services are the core of MAF, which is funded primarily through the voluntary tax levy (line 33f) on the income tax form of Massachusetts residents. Since 2014, the MAF voucher program has helped provide neutering and neutering services to over 17,500 animals.

County Exec Ed Day says the county’s involvement with the animal shelter ends Dec. 31, but will not hand over the shelter to Rockland Green unless the authority has a contract with a qualified operator

By Tina Traster

Rockland Green hopes to resume operations of Hi-Tor Animal Shelter in Pomona on January 1, but can only do so if it has an agreement with Hi-Tor Animal Shelter or another qualified operator.

Hi-Tor’s board and Rockland Green (the county’s former solid waste management authority) have begun negotiations, but it’s unclear whether the two sides can reach terms on funding for the shelter and boundaries of power. Hi-Tor is seeking more than $1.3 million in annual fees from Rockland Green, which effectively acts as a consortium of the five city supervisors who have a legal duty to provide animal shelter services, compared to the approximately 333 $000 that the cities paid. annually for five years under an intermunicipal contract between the municipalities and the department.

There is a perceived urgency on the part of Hi-Tor board members to negotiate with Rockland Green because the county has signaled it is divesting itself of oversight of the animal shelter in the new year. The Hi-Tor board, which oversees operations and staff at the shelter, is asking Rockland Green for a two-year contract, but what remains unclear is what supervisory, policy or hiring powers Rockland Green expects to demand because they’ve been vague. with board members to date, and have not yet submitted a draft contract to Hi-Tor for review.

Additionally, Rockland Green told the Hi-Tor board that the authority would bill the county, but County Manager Ed Day said that made no sense.

“The five supervisors would like the Solid Waste Management Authority to operate the current animal shelter and provide animal management services,” Ed Day said. “They also want Hi-Tor to be the entity that does this for them, ensuring Hi-Tor’s survival as an entity. This choice of city supervisors severs the county’s involvement when our agreement with Hi-Tor expires on December 31, 2022.”

Hi-Tor’s intermunicipal contract with the county expires Dec. 31. Council members feel they have no choice but to negotiate with Rockland Green and fear that if they do not they will be evicted from the building where they have operated the refuge for 50 years. Several members of the board of directors say they have received an ultimatum: negotiate or the contract is finished.

However, Day says he doesn’t understand why they think that’s true.

“We don’t hand over the keys to Rockland Green if they haven’t come to an agreement,” Day said. “On January 1, we will take measures that guarantee the best interests of animals. We won’t let them suffer because leaders can’t make decisions.

Hi-Tor board members feel pressured to negotiate with an entity that has essentially weakened the organization over the past year and made it known that it plans to build its own shelter which will be operated by Hudson Valley Humane. Company, according to Rockland Green Chairman Howard Phillips, who is also a municipal supervisor for the town of Haverstraw.

The Hi-Tor board has known for some time that Rockland Green is looking to buy a warehouse in Haverstraw to renovate for a new shelter. But the council had believed they would stay in the Pomona facility and continue to run the shelter until a new one was built.

RCBJ spoke to a handful of board members in separate interviews; all said they wanted to remain anonymous.

No one on Hi-Tor’s board of directors thinks this new marriage is meant to last. Phillips has publicly stated on several occasions that he expects the Hudson Valley Humane Society to operate a new shelter once it is built.

Last week, Ramapo supervisor Michael Specht on his weekly radio show WRCR gave his thoughts on new names for the animal sanctuary.

“We are used,” said a board member. “We are a reserved space. Once they are established, we are nothing. We may be two years old. Maybe not. But it’s not a question of if, it’s a question of when.

In meetings over the past few days, board members said Rockland Green’s general manager, Jerry Damiani, told them that Rockland Green wanted to “work together” and “partner with the shelter” and help make of the refuge a better place. He also told council members that Rockland Green would step in on Jan. 1 to operate the refuge as if it were a done deal, according to several council members.

But board members say no specifics have been made clear, and they feel like they’re being told to sleep with the enemy.

“These players have spent a year undermining Debbie, causing massive damage to the shelter, undermining our volunteers and our donor base,” said a board member who asked not to be named. “The donations are down the toilet because of the lawsuit and all the things some officials have said publicly. And now we’re thrown into bed with them? It’s crazy.

Criminal charges brought against Board Chair Debbie DiBernardo by Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Walsh were dropped on the eve of trial by prosecutors two weeks ago. The case of the “kitten” Hi-Tor accusing the president of the animal shelter of providing false information to the county has left many wondering how such a case could rise to the level of a criminal indictment.

But over the course of nearly a year, at least two city officials, including Clarkstown City Supervisor George Hoehmann and Phillips, have spoken repeatedly about the “criminal investigation” and the failings of the shelter, though neither had sat down with board officials. review the status of the operation, according to board members.

Rockland Green set their sights on Hi-Tor over a year ago. Initially, he sought approval from the Rockland County Legislature to amend his charter to include animal management. Then, and at many stages, officials and taxpayers wanted to understand Rockland Green’s plan, but the public authority never provided a single specific document outlining in detail how it would run a shelter, nor presented a plan of action. nor was it clear how the finances would work.

RCBJ outwitted Rockland Green for any information regarding finding a shelter location, but was blocked.

Earlier this year, plans to build a new shelter were scuttled by the Rockland County Legislature when it cast a vote on funding. Afterwards, Phillips said Rockland Green was in active negotiations and had two pending appraisals at 427 Beach Road in Haverstraw, a custom-built warehouse that’s on the market for $4.2 million.

Hi-Tor board members demand answers before signing a contract.

“We asked ‘What is your role? and we haven’t had any answers,” a board member said. “We don’t move forward until we have answers. Rockland Green says he wants a good faith co-op deal, but where’s the plan? They don’t have a say together.

For the past five years, Hi-Tor has contracted with the county, which in turn has collected royalties from cities to support the shelter. Orangetown supervisor Teresa Kenny pulled out of a five-year contract with the county a few years ago and entered into contracts with the Hudson Valley Humane Society for canine services. The contract paid Hi-Tor approximately $330,000 per year from the cities; the shelter has relied on donors to keep its annual financial obligations of nearly $1 million afloat.

But now, with declining donations, skyrocketing costs and salary increases, the council plans to ask Rockland Green to fund the shelter at around $1.3 million a year, reflecting its true cost of running. . The board is asking for a two-year commitment.

It is unclear whether Rockland Green will accept the $1.3 million funding. What is also unclear is where the money will come from because council members have not received any clarification on these issues. For the past five years, cities have included a line item in their annual budgets for Hi-Tor. For example, Clarkstown paid $111,000 per year for hosting services. Haverstraw was paying less than $40,000 a year. It is unclear how Rockland Green will pay for the operation and who will be taxed and how to cover the additional costs.

Hi-Tor board members say that despite asking questions, they are unsure whether Rockland Green intends to insert itself into day-to-day operations, policy decisions or hiring.

“The board is scrambling to figure out what to do,” one board member said.

Separately, Rockland County Legislator Charles Falciglia, who joined the council last month, has resigned.

RCBJ contacted Damiani from Rockland Green for comment, but he did not return our email. Rockland Green will hold its next public meeting on November 17 at 5 p.m. The Authority usually meets at City Hall in the City of Clarkstown, but those wishing to attend should check the meeting location.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (KWQC) – The Humane Society of Scott County is once again at full capacity for dogs and cats. So for the month of November they have a special promotion to help all those furry friends find their forever home.

Dogs over 40 pounds and cats over 5 pounds are eligible for a waiver that reduces adoption fees for adopting these animals.

Scott County Humane Society Development Coordinator Celina Rippel says they are incredibly over capacity.

“We have cats and dogs lining our hallways,” Rippel said. “We have them in our offices. I have a dog in my office right now, a stray that came in earlier today. So we are super super full. So you know in the hope that this event will hopefully eliminate some of those pop up crates and we can get back to our normal capacity.

Several dogs went out to play and go for walks, proving they were ready to go home forever.

“If people are looking to add another furry friend to their family, now would be the perfect time to do so,” Rippel said. “Get out. See we have over 90 pets available for adoption, dogs and cats. So if you’re interested, we have lots that might be right for your home.”

The dogs are not the only ones to invade the establishment. They have over a hundred cats that are also available.

“We have a lot. We probably have over 20 pop-up cat houses again. And we also have over 150 cats or kittens in foster care right now.

The Humane Society is counting on the people of the Quad Cities to help them while they are over capacity.

“If you can’t bring pets to your home at the moment you can always donate, we still need blankets. At the moment we really need wet dog food and wet cat food and kittens. It’s always a need for us.

For more information on adoption or donation, visit hssc.us.

Copyright 2022 KWQC. All rights reserved.

City of Elk Grove staff announced Oct. 28 that authorities had euthanized Zeus, a 16-month-old German Shepherd they had detained for three months after he allegedly bit two people, including an Elk police officer. Groves.

Zeus was brought to the city’s animal shelter in July after biting the officer when authorities checked whether his owner was meeting their requirements to keep a dog they deemed dangerous.

In May, Zeus allegedly bit a pedestrian who was walking near his owner’s house. The dog’s owner claimed he was trying to protect her after being startled by the stranger’s presence.

“This has been a difficult situation for everyone involved, and the city does not take this action lightly,” city staff said in their announcement regarding the dog’s death.

They defended their decision to euthanize Zeus as a matter of maintaining public safety.

“While some members of the public called on the city to consider alternatives to euthanasia, the dog’s established bite history and dangerous propensities posed too great a risk to the public safety of this community, or any other community to which the animal could have been moved,” they said.

Faryal Kabir, who owns the dog with her sister Gehsal, brought their plight to public attention in September when she pleaded with the Elk Grove City Council to stop the planned euthanasia of Zeus. A Sacramento Superior Court judge earlier denied a stay of the dog’s scheduled execution that month.

“My Zeus is like my child – he is like my son. I have no children, I am not married,” Kabir told the Council emotionally at their September 14 meeting. amazing, kind, compassionate soul who doesn’t deserve to die and deserves to live.”

Kabir was taken into custody by Elk Grove police and hospitalized after threatening to kill herself upon learning of her dog’s death, the Sacramento Bee reported. This is the second time she has been placed on suicide watch in October.

His attorney, Christine Kelly, told the Citizen on Nov. 1 that her client’s federal lawsuit against the city would continue in court.

“The city is setting a precedent – they’re saying, ‘Go ahead and appeal our administrative decision, we’ll kill your dog anyway, even if there’s an appeal,'” she said in an email. mail. “The city also says they have no interest in accepting and receiving facts into evidence, and no interest in the legal process.”

Kabir’s federal lawsuit alleges that city animal control personnel violated Kabir’s constitutional rights by seizing his dog without a warrant in July and failing to proceed properly in city hearings on Zeus.

Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen was also named a defendant in the case since Kabir’s legal opposition held her responsible for ensuring the city’s laws are constitutional. The lawsuit also included an offer from Rocket Dog Rescue to take Zeus into custody at their sanctuary in Oakland.

On November 1, Kelly filed an objection in federal court that challenged the city’s description of Zeus’ euthanasia as “humane.” She said the act of euthanasia is meant to be the painless killing of a patient with a painful or incurable disease.

In September, Kabir’s federal trial allowed a judge to temporarily suspend euthanasia of the dog in September. Hon. Troy Nunley of the Eastern District Court of California later lifted the stay since Kabir also had an active lawsuit against the city in Sacramento Superior Court.

In superior court, Kabir sues the city and animal control officer Crystal Mocek for allegedly mishandling the seizure of Zeus.

The city’s legal defense countered that Kabir failed to meet the 30-day deadline to meet the city’s requirements for the management of Zeus, which included enrollment in an obedience school, leash control of three feet and taking out liability insurance.

After officers arrived at Kabir’s home on July 15 for a compliance check, they escorted his dog on a leash to an animal control truck. In one incident recorded by an officer’s camera, the dog quickly approached and bit the leg of an officer who was standing in the street. Kabir then pulled him back and accompanied him to the vehicle. City attorneys reported that the officer’s pants were torn and he was injured.

Andrew Shalaby, Gehsal’s attorney, claimed the dog was agitated during the situation and smelled the animal control vehicle, which he described as an “animal death wagon”. He mentioned that German Shepherds are known to be protective of their owners and that Zeus went into defensive mode when officers approached him.

Shalaby also claimed that a police body camera recorded Mocek admitting that she could not take Zeus by Kabir’s deadline for a compliance check. In the lawsuit, he wrote that Kabir’s actual deadline for compliance was July 20, since the city’s notice was mailed to him and state law requires a deadline extension of five days for mailed notices.

In the federal case, the city defense argued that Zeus was a dangerous animal. In her statement filed in federal court, the city’s animal services officer, Sarah Humlie, wrote that the dog exhibited aggressive behavior at the animal shelter. She did not recommend him for adoption.

“For example, he charges at the kennel door, jumps on his hind legs and barks viciously and aggressively at the animal shelter staff,” she wrote.

Kelly told the Citizen that Kabir’s federal lawsuit against the city will have a hearing this month.

“Elk Grove has complete disregard for the constitution and the rights of its citizens,” she said.

The annual Enid Pet Costume Contest in Atwoods again featured a variety of pets, from a bearded dragon to dogs of many sizes and breeds dressed up for Halloween. It also represented one of the latest pushes in a pet food and supplies campaign to benefit Merry Melodies and FURever Friends, two animal rescue operations in the Enid area.

Mary Pickering, with Atwoods, said both organizations were present at the costume contest to try to provide future homes for rescued animals.

“We’re sort of killing two birds with one stone,” Pickering said. “The Enid Pet Costume Contest is kind of a tradition we’ve done here at the store, but we’re also trying to collect pet supplies and food for FURever Friends and Merry Melodies. So we’re running this food and supply drive until October 31, and they’re here today, they’ve brought adoptable cats and dogs.

Jeanie Winsett, director of Merry Melodies, said she saw the need for a rescue for cats with special needs. She said she had been rescuing cats for seven years and started Merry Melodies in October 2021. She said she saw the need to help cats with special medical needs. She gives them a home and is able to provide individual care for blind, aggressive cats and even pregnant cats that were going to be euthanized in a shelter. She said 22 kittens were born to cats she rescued from euthanasia.

Winsett said being able to attend an event like the costume contest is a way to raise awareness and an opportunity to find homes for the cats she has rescued.

“We had two adoptions today. These are the first for about a month,” Winsett said. “The reason this is so important to me is because I’m doing all of this out of my home. All the animals I bring in get individual care…it’s very important to have this kind of events and to be invited to them.

The costume contest had three categories, the first being pets under 20 pounds, a category for pets between 20 and 100 pounds, and a final round for large pets. The winners of each category went on to the final round, where the judges chose a grand champion. There was also a Manager’s Choice Award, which was chosen by Atwoods. Winners in each category received a variety of prizes, including treats and supplies such as feeders and water bowls.

The winner of the under 20 pound category was Sema, a rescue mix dressed as a shark. The winner of the 20-100 pound category was Buddy, who was dressed as a unicorn. The winner of the big category was Raven, a poodle dressed as Belle from Beauty and the Beast. The Grand Champion selected from the three winners was Sema, and the Manager’s Choice selection went to Sammie, a husky/shepherd mix who was dressed as the wolf from Little Red Riding Hood.

A shelter can be a very stressful environment for any animal, but especially for older ones. Too often, the elderly are turned over to shelters once their age begins to show or their health begins to decline.

Many seniors in shelters are overlooked for adoption, as families often come to pick up a young dog or puppy. I, on the other hand, would take a senior rather than a high-maintenance pup any day of the week!

I have had senior dogs for seven years now and have been saddened to lose three in the last four years. My current dogs are 15 and 12 years old. We adopted Roméo at 10 years old, and he has been in our family for two years now. He is still as brave as any young puppy.

Don’t get me wrong: the challenges come with caring for an older pet, but it’s just a different set of challenges than younger dogs.

The label “senior” does not mean “old”. Most senior pets are very active and can provide many years of companionship to someone who wants to give them a chance. While dogs and cats are often considered seniors when they reach 7-9 years old, small breeds can live 16-20 years. Larger dogs have shorter lifespans, but some live well into adolescence with proper care.

Although they are no longer cute puppies, they will no longer chew your shoes, bark at anything and anyone, wake you up at all hours of the night, or jump up on your guests. .

Make good matches

Senior pets can also be great companions for seniors. Often seniors seek the company of a pet, but a puppy or kitten may not be the best option due to their energy level and amount of care needed. Puppies can quickly grow into large, strong dogs that need training and, depending on their size, a strong master.

An adult dog is long past the chewing and barking stage and will likely have a manageable energy level for an older person. Most are happy to lounge on the couch and take nice afternoon walks.

A lot of advantages

Pets are also good for your health. A dog owner is likely to go outside more and walk regularly to exercise their pet. Pets also provide a natural mental health boost. The company of a pet is especially beneficial for someone who may live alone or not get out much to interact socially.

A pet is a natural conversation starter with neighbors when you walk around. We met our great friends on the street because our dogs love to visit their Bichon, Louie, when he walks too.

In an effort to find homes for senior pets, many shelters and rescue centers in our area offer special adoptions for seniors, called “fospice” adoptions, where older pets are placed in a foster home. reception/hospice. The organization provides medical care, while the foster family provides all the necessities and a loving environment for the rest of the animal’s life.

Please consider adopting or fostering an older pet. Older pets shouldn’t have to spend their golden years in a noisy, stressful shelter. Every shelter has seniors who are neglected for young pets, and they yearn for a home with a soft pillow to rest their head on and a family to love them. I can attest that being a dog mother for the elderly is very rewarding.

Events

NOV. 4: From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Metairie Bank will partner with the Louisiana SPCA to find permanent homes for homeless animals. Pet Adoption Day will be held in the parking lot of the bank’s main office at 3344 Metairie Road in Metairie. There will also be gifts and refreshments.

NOV. 5: The Inner Pup is hosting a Heartworm and Flea Prevention Clinic from 1-2:30 p.m. at the Crown of Life Lutheran Church, 11721 Morrison Road in New Orleans. The Inner Pup is a non-profit organization whose goal is to eradicate heartworm disease and provide veterinary services to pet owners who otherwise could not afford it. TIP also offers a dog training program, with vouchers available. More information: theinnerpup.org; [email protected]

NOV. 6: Animal Rescue New Orleans will join the anniversary celebration of Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt, 9029 Jefferson Highway in River Ridge, from 2-5 p.m. for a fundraiser and dog adoption event. There will be raffles, vendors and fun activities for the kids. Tutti Frutti donates 20% of each purchase to ARNO. For more information, [email protected].

Traci D. Howerton is the volunteer coordinator of Animal Rescue New Orleans, a volunteer-based nonprofit shelter. For more information about ARNO, visit animalrescueneworleans.org.

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico (KRQE) – Inflation has hit everyone hard, including a local animal shelter. Not only are people returning to pandemic pets, but fewer families can even afford to have a dog.

“Medical bills are piling up and adoptions have slowed,” said the vice president of Pawsitive Life Rescue from NMJenn Wilson.

Pawsitive Life Rescue is a non-profit organization that helps animals find homes.

“We save animals like Butters and Kendrick. They were rescued from high-volume shelters and then we vetted them and put them up for adoption,” Rescue president Allie Sikorski said, as she held the rescue dogs.

They are 100% in foster care with over 100 people helping them.

“To be an adoptive parent, we’re just asking you to provide the love, and we’ll provide everything else,” Sikorski said.

The monthly rescue needs can reach up to $10,000. They make most of their money from adoption fees. However, lately there has been a drastic drop in adoptions.

“We started during COVID. It actually turned out really well because people were home and adopting, but it kind of backfired now. People return their dogs because they’re back at work and also because they haven’t socialized their dog, and then they have issues with their dogs,” Wilson said.

They saw a 10% increase in the number of people returning their pets. On top of that they were doing an average of 45 adoptions a month, now they are lucky if they have 14. Due to inflation they said they are struggling to find money for food, vaccines and medical expenses. The volunteers and the board of directors used their own money to cover the costs.

Some of their animals have health issues, which they try to take care of before adoption.

“We don’t just abandon them. If they have that will and that courage and that quality of life, then we’re going to carry on for them,” Sikorski said.

For example, they never gave up on a rescue named Buggy, a Chihuahua, which they say was expensive to care for but is now doing better.

Wilson mentioned, “He lives a perfectly happy life and he’s full of spunk.”

Other dogs are about to be adopted like Kendrick, a calm, 1 year old about to be neutered. Wilson said he could be a great family dog ​​for anyone.

For now, to stay afloat, they rely on donations and fundraising as well as hosting low-cost veterinary clinics. Their next clinic is on October 30 where they will give away dog ​​vaccines for free.

A change of direction could occur at the Santa Maria animal shelter.

Santa Barbara County Animal Services currently operates the Santa Maria Animal Center, but the city is considering other options as projected costs continue to rise.

Santa Barbara Humane seeks to resume operations of the Santa Maria Animal Center.

“We’ve developed something that we think really describes how animal care can be improved and how customer service and community care can be improved,” said Dori Villalon, Chief Operating Officer at Santa Barbara Humane.

Santa Barbara County Animal Services hopes to continue operating the shelter that serves the entire Santa Maria Valley.

The agency’s new director says they offer a consistent countywide service that benefits both people and pets.

“We believe having a one-stop-shop will be the most efficient and beneficial for pets and families who may have lost their pets and are trying to find them,” said Sarah Aguilar, Director Santa Barbara County Animal Services. “They don’t have to go to different places or check with different entities. “

Aguilar says the county board of supervisors recently voted to withdraw some of the shelter’s funding, which is driving up prices.

She adds that the county will still give the city nearly $145,000 in financial support each year.

“It’s the end goal is to get the dogs here, to feel like it’s camp – to train, to get re-association with good behaviors – and then to put those positive things back into the community. and to involve the community in doing it,” said Santa Maria Animal Center volunteer Joyce Melerski.

Melerski raises concerns that a change in leadership could strain resources at a shelter that serves a city of nearly 110,000 people.

“Moving to the human company — they don’t have the staff; they don’t have the training or the expertise. The current administration is not an administration to human society that is conducive to partnerships,” she said.

Santa Barbara Humane – on the other hand – insists she can handle the installation.

“We have two vet clinics, we have four vets on staff. Today, for example, our staff in Santa Maria performs 30 surgeries,” Villalon said.

The county’s new director of animal services wants the city to continue with the recently signed five-year contract.

“One of my goals is to leverage my experience in various locations across the country, both rural and metropolitan, and create services that truly honor the human-animal bond and are animal-centered, like we .I focus on animals,” Aguilar said.

Santa Barbara Humane – on the other hand – hopes the city will side with them.

“If someone comes to us and can’t afford to care for their pet, we have the ability through donor funding to help them with low cost care or free care,” Villalon added.

The animal center also offers pet pantries as well as vaccine and microchip clinics.

According to a cost analysis report presented to the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors in April, the shelter’s operating costs could increase by 7 to 34 percent under the current trajectory.