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A Special Thank You to Animal Control Officers
Dogs in town pounds wouldn't stand a chance without the devotion, diligence and resource networking skills of the municipal Animal Control Officers (ACOs) who care for them. So many of these devoted men and women work tirelessly to give the dogs in their care a second chance.
You could say that ACOs are expert jugglers--besides responding to calls and managing the daily tasks necessary to run the pound, these people find time behind-the-scenes to leverage resources and collaborate to help meet the unique needs of each dog. Just a few of the things ACOs do for their dogs include contacting potential foster homes, cross-posting adoption listings, scheduling vet appointments and shuttling the dogs back and forth to the vet, communicating with breed-specific rescue organizations, calling local media to raise awareness about dogs in their care, contacting PoundHounds for help with medical expenses and training, and so much more. By the time a dog is adopted, just think about the number of calls, faxes, website updates, e-mails and appointments that were facilitated by the ACO on behalf of that one dog. And town pounds are always full to capacity these days, so ACOs don't get a break.
Now is the time to organize recognition for the hard-working ACOs your town. PoundHounds is happy to take this opportunity to remind everyone that April 11-17 is National Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week. We encourage you to do something special in your community. For some ideas and tools, please read the article below.
And in the meantime, thank you, ACOs, for doing all that you do, every day.
Warmest regards,
Seana Dowling
President, PoundHounds, Inc.
PS: Did someone forward you this e-Newsletter? If you enjoyed it and would like to subscribe:
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Recognize Your Local ACOs
National Animal Control Appreciation Week
April 11 - 17
Now is the time to show your support for the Animal Control Officers in your town. We encourage you to contact your Town Officials and help organize a recognition event to honor the devotion and diligence it takes to manage municipal animal control.
Created by the National Animal Control Association (NACA), Appreciation Week provides an opportunity for towns to pay tribute to the hard-working men and women who protect the welfare of helpless animals. NACA provides online tools and suggestions for communities to promote and organize a recognition event. To learn more visit the NACA website. |
Health Check
Giving Your Dog Pills
Getting your dog to take a pill can be a challenge. While some dogs will gobble down a pill stuck into a Greenies Pill Pocket, a piece of cheese or a chunk of cooked beef, other dogs seem to know immediately there is a ploy afoot and will swallow the food and spit out the pill.
When your vet prescribes medication for your dog, ask what options are available to administer the medicine. Is there a flavored, chewable pill available? If you already know your dog is dramatic about taking pills, find out if there is a liquid form of the medication available.
If the medication is available only in tablet form, ask the vet if the tablets can be crushed and rolled into a ball of cheese. Can the tablet be liquefied in water or a flavored beverage so you can use a dropper or syringe to squirt it into your dog's mouth? Some medications lose their potency if not taken whole. Your vet will advise you on the best method.
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| Keep an Eye on Storm
A Dog in Progress
Billerica, MA Storm is a regal, 5 year old, white German Shepherd. In early February, he was surrendered to Billerica Animal Control because his family couldn't offer him the leadership, exercise and routine he needs.
Maureen Ray, Billerica Animal Control Officer, determined that Storm is highly adoptable and she contacted PoundHounds for help to cover the expenses of getting him ready for adoption with a heartworm test and up-to-date vaccines.
In the meantime, Ray evaulated Storm's behavior. Although he passed, she felt that this friendly guy would benefit from some training basics so he could present to potential adoptors with better manners and a calmer demeanor. She asked PoundHounds to sponsor his training expenses with Nancy Fantom of Saddleback Pet Services in Northwood, NH.
Storm is a super dog and thanks to your donations, PoundHounds has taken care of his veterinarian expenses and his training costs. He will be ready for a new home soon.
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| Dog Quote of the Month
"Every dog must have his day."
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FDA Warning
Nature's Variety Product Recall
Nature's Variety has expanded its voluntary recall of Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diets for dogs and cats to include the "Best If Used By" dates of 10/29/10 and 11/9/10 because these products may be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can affect animals and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products. People handling pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the product or any surfaces exposed to these products. To learn more, visit the FDA website.
As a rule of thumb, read all pet food labels carefully. Watch out for manufacturers that use phrases like "Printed in U.S.A". This is a misleading attempt by manufacturers to catch your eye quickly and convey the impression that the contents are of U.S. origin. The product packaging may very well have been printed in the U.S.A., but the food product itself may not have been manufactured in the U.S.A. |
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Featured Dog for Adoption
Energetic Finn Has Lots of Love to Give
Finn has a gorgeous smile. He is an intelligent, sweet dog who would just love to be in a home where he could play all day. Since that's not how most homes operate, Finn needs to find an owner willing to manage his energy with routine exercise, training, structure, and of course, play time.
Interested in learning more about Finn? Please call the Gardner, MA Animal Control Facility at (978) 630-4950 or e-mail your inquiry to gardner_adoptions@verizon.net. |
ACO Resources
Every Day is Tag Day Campaign
Only about 15% of dogs without tags are reunited with their owners once they are lost. All pet owners need to be encouraged to put I.D. tags on their pets as soon as they are adopted.
To help ACOs and rescue organizations help pet owners understand the importance of tagging their pets, the American Humane Society (AHS) has implemented a yearly celebration called "Every Day is Tag Day".
This year, the Tag Day celebration will be held on April 3rd. The AHS has created a new promotional campaign to support the effort. Visit the AHS website to learn more and download Every Day is Tag Day promotional materials including posters to hang in your facilities and brochures to send home with every new owner.
Meacham Foundation Memorial Grant
Did you know that your facility may qualify for a Meacham Grant via the American Humane Society? Meacham Grants are awarded in amounts up to $4,000 and can help with projects like kennel or cattery renovations, animal environment enrichment, adding equipment that positively impacts the welfare of animals at your facility and more.
To meet the eligibility requirements, facilities must:
- Be located in the U.S. and incorporated in the agency's state or territory
- Be public (local government) entity or a non-profit 501(c)(3)
- Be an agency member of the American Humane Society ($119 annual fee)
- Provide a physical structure where animals are sheltered
- Place animals in private homes via adoption programs
If you are planning to apply for a 2011 Meacham Grant, we strongly recommend that you download and review the application now so you can collect and record the necessary quantitative information throughout 2010. Applications for the next annual grant cycle will be accepted January 1, 2011 - February 28, 2011. To get started right away, click here to download the guidelines and application. |
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Power of Resource Collaboration
We Are 'All In' to Help
Poor Champagne lived outside this winter. He was confined to a small crate where he could barely move around. Days would pass and he would not get fed. His water bowl, if it wasn't empty, was frozen. When East Longmeadow Animal Control rescued him, he was emaciated and had frostbite on both ears. He was timid and scared. Dawn Herbele, Animal Control Officer, knew exactly what to do once she took this puppy into her care. She contacted PoundHounds, Inc. to sponsor Champagne's medical expenses and the treatment plan he needed to get him physically fit and ready for adoption.
Champagne has recovered beautifully. PoundHounds covered the costs for his immediate medical needs and even picked up the cost for his neuter procedure when Champagne was back on his feet.
And now, PittieLove Rescue has taken the baton from East Longmeadow and stepped in to help Champagne find his forever home. PittieLove Rescue is dedicated to finding loving and responsible homes for the pit bull breed. If you are interested in learning more about Champagne, please click here to visit the PittieLove Rescue website. | |
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About MAC
Spay/Neuter License Plates
 The Massachusetts Animal Coalition (MAC) disburses grants to non-profit humane organizations and municipal animal control agencies. The grants are funded by the sale of the Massachusetts Spay/Neuter License Plate Program.
MAC has provided funds for PoundHounds to pay for spay/neuter procedures for PoundHounds sponsored dogs. In 2009, funding from MAC allowed PoundHounds to spay or neuter 50 dogs in 18 different town pounds across Massachusetts. Those procedures represent $7,500 in MAC support.
Please show your dedication to animals and help control over-population. Register your new car or swap your existing plates for spay/neuter plates.
The additional cost for special plates is $40 with every registration renewal. The first time, $12 covers the cost of making the plate and the remaining $28 goes to the program. At subsequent renewals, the entire $40 funds spay/neuter services. The standard registration charged by the registry to all drivers is $50 every two years, making the total for special plate holders $90.
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Thank you for your continued interest and support of the invisible dogs in town pounds. We can't do it without you! Please visit the PoundHounds website at: www.poundhounds.org for more information. Or, contact us directly:
Message Center: 508.435.5029
Address: PoundHounds, Inc. - P.O. Box 454 - Hopkinton, MA 01748
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