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Most of us love our companion animals dearly and
would do anything for them. We love to buy them pretty collars, fun
toys, the best food, and of course, treats! We bring them to the vet
for annual checkups, when they seem to be feeling under the weather,
and for spaying or neutering (Right? Right!!!) We walk them, bathe
them, bring them to the dog park and for rides in the car. In
return, they help to keep us happy, healthy, and sane! To me, there
is nothing like a doggie kiss or a kitty head bonk!!! That is the
best therapy in the world.
However, many of us can sometimes fall short when it comes to
protecting our furry little loved ones. I don't think we mean to,
for the most part, but without really thinking about it, we tend to
sometimes leave them vulnerable. We might take their collars off the
day before a grooming appointment, or leave them in the car alone
with the window down for just a few minutes, or even in the yard
alone while we run a quick errand.
But we really need to stop and think about the position in which we
sometimes leave our animals. I've seen small dogs alone in cars that
I could have grabbed right out of the window. It seems we have
thunderstorms almost every afternoon lately, yet I've heard
countless tales of dogs who are left alone outside and bolt, finding
their way out of fenced yards through sheer fear. It is our nature
as humans to assume the worst can never happen to us. Seven years
ago, I found a frightened, severely skinny and hungry dog in a
grocery store parking lot, wearing only a flea collar. I tried and
tried to find his home. One call I will never forget was from a
family whose dog had gotten lost in the confusion of a house fire
during the night. They were desperate to find their pet, but this
wasn't him. I wish I knew if they were ever reunited. He was wearing
identification at the time the incident occurred, so maybe they
were, but it just goes to show that we must expect the unexpected.
Incidentally, I never located my found dog's owner either, though I
searched and searched - which in the end was lucky for me - his name
is Wolfie and he is a happy, sweet and well-adjusted boy who is best
buds with his "little sissy" Blossum, and both are sleeping on my
bed as I type this! I will never know if he was dumped or if someone
simply could not find him because he didn't have on identification.
Leave those collars on and always have the appropriate tags on them.
A local business here in Baton Rouge actually provides an invaluable
service to our community - Gold Star Trophies will make pet
identification tags at no charge! Many are strapped for cash these
days, but now there are no excuses for your pets not to wear ID!
Now, I know cats can be a different story. Firstly, all four of mine
are indoor cats. Two were Mamas who lived outside, pregnant and
alone, but who have adjusted well to the safe, indoor life. Don't
assume that it's impossible for an outdoor cat to become a happy
indoor cat. I have two that wear a collar and tags with no problem,
and two that simply refuse and just go nuts trying to get it off.
I'm slowly trying to get them adjusted, but in the mean time, all my
pets have been microchipped. This is a necessity, as one day it may
be the only link between you and your pet should you become
separated for any reason. Collars can come off or even be removed,
but the microchip is permanent. Still, tags are very important, as
everyone will not take the time to pick up a lost animal and bring
him/her to a vet to be scanned for a microchip, whereas a phone call
is easy. And don't forget to have transport carriers where you can
get to them quickly.
Another way that animals are left vulnerable is through "free to
good home" ads. Please, always charge an adoption fee, no matter how
small. If someone is not willing to pay it, they are not likely to
properly provide for the animal anyway. Most of us would not
consider humans to be the predators of our animals, but
unfortunately, very many are. People will obtain free dogs, cats and
other animals, posing as someone willing to provide a safe and
stable home, sometimes even using friends and the children of
friends to pose as a happy, loving family, then use these former
pets as bait to train illegal fighting dogs, or even as free snake
food. Puppies, kittens, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, etc. are
especially susceptible to the latter. It does happen. And please
don't think a dog fighter would not want your dog because it's not
one of the "tough" breeds. Just about any dog or cat will suffice in
the training process. It's really hard to think about, but true, and
a reality right here in Baton Rouge.
Another predator of the "free to good home" ad is the Class B
Dealer. I would think that most people have never heard this term.
According to The Humane Society of the United States, the Class B
animal dealer is a USDA-licensed agent allowed to purchase and
collect animals from random sources, including pounds and shelters,
and sell them to labs and other dealers for research and testing.
However, they've been known to steal animals and falsify records,
and they also work with "bunchers". Bunchers are typically shadowy,
unlicensed individuals who gather animals from various sources,
including theft and "free to good home" ads. So if you care enough
to re-home your dog/cat/hamster etc. for whatever reason, or you are
a very generous person who is trying to find a home for an animal
that you have lovingly rescued, please take the extra effort to
screen potential homes Don't just turn an animal over to anyone.
Good homes are out there - we just have to find them!
Even our own backyards can pose risks that we would never consider
until we hear of something tragic - for example, did you know that
very small cats and dogs can be taken away by hawks? Another back
yard tragedy is the tethered or chained dog. I could go on for pages
about people who obtain dogs, who are highly social animals, and
relinquish them to a lonely life of solitude at the end of a chain,
but that's a whole 'nother article. What I will say for now is that
your constantly tethered dog is a sitting duck. All of us, human and
animal, have a flee or fight instinct if threatened. Your tethered
dog cannot choose to flee, so he/she will likely fight, which in the
long run will affect his/her temperament - or he/she will become a
victim. Please socialize your animals and welcome them into your
home and family.
You may not realize how desperate the situation is for lost or
homeless animals in BR unless you have personally picked up a stray.
Most people do not want to take any animal to Animal Control and
they quickly find out that the many local rescue groups are
operating at full capacity, so it's not always as simple as just
dropping an animal off with a rescue organization. It may take some
effort on your part to help a stray, but please do it, it is well
worth it, believe me! You'll not only be helping a lost creature,
but you'll also be making BR a better, more responsible community. I
do want to stress that you should not hesitate to call any of the
rescues, whether you have lost or found an animal. Some that come to
mind are the Capital Area Animal Welfare Society (CAAWS), Animal
Protection and Welfare Society (APAWS), Cat Haven, Yelp, Project
Purr, Ascension Animal Advocates, and for low cost spay and neuter
programs, SpayBR or Baton Rouge Spay/Neuter. You may find one that
has room for another lost soul - but at the very least you can find
advice and support. CAAWS even offers a public adoption program -
just visit caaws.org for info. Some volunteers have extensive
contacts and email lists and they can easily distribute flyers and
info. This can be a great tool for finding those appropriate "furever"
homes - as I said before, they are out there! Remember to be patient
and diligent, not only with the process, but also with your new
charge, as he/she has been on the streets, alone and scared, and is
likely to be frightened by new and unfamiliar surroundings.
I will close by saying that while we have to live our lives
realistically and not in fear, we do need to consider those that are
helpless and rely on us for protection, including our companion
animals. Knowing what the threats and dangers are allows us to
better protect them. Leaving them vulnerable can result in
catastrophe. Please be their voice and do all you can to keep them
out of harm's way. That's a small price for unconditional love.
Please help us and become a part of the solution to end animal
suffering in this community. For more info on CAAWS, to learn more
about volunteering, make a donation, or adopt a homeless animal,
please visit www.caaws.org
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