PAWS NEWSLETTER April 2017 Contact Us: Office: 972-205-3570 Fax: 972-205-3433 GarlandAnimalServices.org Our Staff: Animal Services Manager Uriel Villalpando, MBA Veterinarian Dr. Robert E. Osborne D.V.M. Shelter Supervisor/ Rescue Coordinator Hugo Espinoza Animal Services Leads Adrian Olivarez Jose Martinez Justin Craft Department Coordinator Gracie Morales Animal Service Officers Arsenio Araiza Brad Vanover Brandon Williams Chad Miller David Hernandez Diego Ortiz Emmanuel Vargas Joseph Dineen Rudy Mancilla Stephen Bernal Trent Miller MICROCHIPPING Due to a recent revision to the Garland City Ordinance, Garland residents are no longer required to register their pets with the Garland Animal Services Department. The requirement for city registration has been replaced with mandatory microchipping for all newly adopted pets and all pets reclaimed by their owners. Microchipping can be done at any veterinary clinic or at the Animal Shelter, 600 Tower St., during normal business hours. If you wish to have a microchip implanted in your animal as a form of permanent identification, Animal Services provides the service for a fee of $25. Shelter Technician Randy McNair Animal Shelter & Adoption Center 600 Tower St. Garland, TX 75040 Mon. - Fri. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 972-205-3570 Pet Adoption Center 813 Main St. Garland, TX 75040 Mon.-Wed. 10 a.m. -5 p.m. Thu. 10 am. - 7:30 p.m. Fri. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 1
DOG AND CAT By Robert E. Osborne, DVM The oldest dog was Maggie, an Australian Kelpie in Australia that lived to be 30 years old. Unfortunately, as the owner lost documentation of her age, Maggie won t make it into the Guinness Book of World Records. The oldest dog on record was Bluey, an Australian Cattle Dog in Australia that lived to be 29 years and 3 days. The oldest cat on record was Crème Puff in Austin, Texas that lived to be 38 years and 3 days old. The largest dog on record was/is Zorba, an English Mastiff from the United Kingdom that, in 2012, weighed 343 pounds and was 8 feet long from his nose to the tip of his tail. The longest cat on record was Stewie, a Maine Coon from Reno Nevada that, in 2010, was 48.5 inches long from his nose to the end of his tail bone. The largest dog litter on record was born in November 2004 to Tia, a Neapolitan Mastiff in the United Kingdom. She had 24 puppies of which 20 survived the birth. The largest cat litter on record was born in 1970 to a Burmese/Siamese cat in the United Kingdom. She had 19 kittens with 4 being stillborn. In the United States there are approximately 73 million pet cats and 63 million pet dogs. Although most cats avoid getting wet, one cat breed the Turkish Van enjoys swimming. A group of cats is called a clowder, clutter or glaring. A group of dogs is called a kennel; a group of wild dogs is called a pack. 2
March Statistics By Lead Officer Adrian Olivarez Did you know that bats occupy Garlands beautiful sky and trees? The most common bat that Garland citizens will see is the Mexican free tailed bat also known as the Austonian bridge bat. Mexican free tailed bats are about 3.5 inches long and weighs about.43 oz. Their main colors are brown and gray but mostly brown. These bats are seen resting at the base of trees and in patio umbrellas. Citizens usually see them at these locations during the day. These bats carry their young on them all night searching for food so by the time they get done searching they are too tired to get up a tree; this does not mean they are rabid. Bats are a high risk when it comes to rabies and are able to spread it to humans with a scratch or bite. Their teeth are so small and most of the time you would not know if it bites you. Garland Animal Services strongly urges its citizens to not touch a bat, just call Animal Services at 972-205-3570. 172 ANIMALS WERE ADOPTED BY RESCUE GROUPS 36 PETS WERE ADOPTED BY GARLAND PAWSIBILITIES & PET ADOPTION CENTER 102 ANIMALS WERE ADOPTED BY GARLAND ANIMAL SERVICES SHELTER 88 PETS WERE RECLAIMED BY THEIR OWNERS 3 PETS WERE SPONSORED 782 STRAY ANIMAL CALLS RECEIVED 126 PETS WERE STERILIZED BY CITY VETERINARIAN 1,693 VISITORS 3
ANIMAL SHELTER IS FULL. COME FIND YOUR NEW BEST FRIEND! By Lead Officer Justin Craft During the months of February and March, shelters across the nation are inundated with homeless pets. Statistics show that every year in the United States, nearly 6 million lost, abandoned, or unwanted dogs and cats end up in municipal shelters. Many of these dogs and cats get lucky and are placed with a permanent family. However, there are thousands of dogs and cats across the U.S. that are humanely euthanized because municipal shelters simply don t have the space to house such high number of homeless pets. We encourage you to do your part and adopt. The Garland shelter is very full and is reaching out to the community to come out and rescue or adopt a homeless pet. In recent months, we have had some of the highest live release rates in the history of this shelter, together, we can continue this trend! Talk to your family and friends, encourage them to spay and neuter their pets and for those that don t have pets, invite them to visit our shelter, we have lots of wonderful animals waiting for something to rescue them and welcome them into their family. Shopping List for New Pet Lead, Collar, Harness Microchip Toys, Chews & Treats Dog/Cat Food Dog/Cat Bed Dog House Cat Litter 4
We are always in need of volunteers to help staff the Pet Adoption Center (PAC) at 813 Main Street in downtown Garland. The PAC is staffed entirely by volunteers - so if you can spare some time to help us out - we'd greatly appreciate it. Our volunteer activities are scheduled on the website Meet Up. Right now we are actively recruiting volunteers to help us out at our Saturday adoption events. Click here for more information and to sign up. 5
Submitted By Lead Officer Jose Martinez Shelter pets are often family pets, who have arrived at the shelter through no fault of their own. Certain situations leave their families unable to continue caring for them. People often drop off their happy pet at the shelter, trusting that they ll find a home fast because everyone will see the wonderful pet they know and love. Only 1 out of every 10 dogs born will find a permanent home. The main reasons animals are in shelters: owners give them up, or animal control finds them on the streets. As older cats and dogs are much harder to adopt, keep in mind an older pet has already worked out their kitten/puppy behavior, revealing their true personality. Your lifestyle could be better suited to an adult cat or dog than a younger pet. The average age of animals entering shelters is 18 months. Pet owners are less stressed from spending time with their newly adopted pets. Most pet stores get their cuties from puppy mills. Adopting from you re your local shelter ensures you aren t supporting this practice where mamas are overbred and spend most of their lives in cages. Keep in mind that it costs taxpayers to shelter homeless animals. Before being put up for adoption, most pets in shelters are given a complete medical exam, plus vaccinations and any necessary treatment. They have a clean bill of health before you even meet them. If you adopt a pet with a special condition, shelter staff will help you understand as best to their knowledge how to best care for your pet at home. Shelter staff will perform behavior assessments so you can be sure your pet is safe and ready for a happy home. 6
TIPS THAT MAY PREVENT OR STOP A DOG ATTACK WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY DOG BITES SOMEONE? Don t run past a dogs. Dogs naturally love to run and chase and catch things. Don t give them a reason to become excited or aggressive. Never disturb a dog that s caring for puppies, sleeping or eating. Never reach through or over a fence to pet a dog. Dogs can be protective of their territory, and ma interpret your action as a threat. If a dog approaches to sniff you, stay still. In most cases, the dog will go away when it determines you are not a threat. If you are threated by a dog, remain calm. Don t scream or yell. If you say anything, speak calmly and firmly. Avoid eye contact. Try to stay still until the dog leaves, or back away slowly until the dog is out of sight. Don t turn and run. If you fall or are knocked to the ground, curl into a ball with your hands over your head and neck. Protect your face. Even if the bite can be explained (e.g., someone steps on your dog s tail), it s important to take responsibility of your dog s actions by taking these steps Restrain the dog immediately. Separate the dog from the scene of the attack and confine him/her. Check on the victim s condition. Wash wounds with soap and water. Professional medical advice should be sought to evaluate bite wounds and the risk of rabies or other infections. Call 911 if a response by paramedics is required. Provide important information including your name, address and information about your dog s most recent rabies vaccination. Local ordinances determine what will happen to your dog if his/her rabies vaccine is out of date. Comply with local ordinances regarding reporting of dog bites. Consult your veterinarian for advice about dog behavior that will help prevent similar problems in the future. IF YOU ARE BITTEN: If your own dog bit you, confine it immediately and check your dog s vaccinations status. Seek medical attention for the bite. Consult with your veterinarian about your dog s action. Your veterinarian can examine your dog to make sure it is healthy, and can help you with information or training that may prevent future bites. If someone else s dog bit you, first seek medial treatment for your wound. Contact authorities and tell them everything you can about the dog: the owner s name, if you know it; the color and size of the dogs; where you encountered the dog; and if, where, and when you've seen it before. These details may help animal control officers locate the dog. In addition, consider asking your physician if postexposure rabies prophylaxis is necessary. 7
Flea Season? By Shelter Supervisor Hugo Espinoza Flea season? Well, in other parts of the country you might have a season when fleas may not be an issue during certain season or times of the year. Texas and other warmer states don t have that luxury. I mean, where else would you have to have a pair of shorts handy on Christmas day or New Years. This year is starting to feel like one of those Man, we didn t have a winter so you know it s going to be a hot summer years. If you ve lived in Texas for some time, you have said the exact same quote at one point or another. As pet owners, we need to ensure that all our pets are prepared for the rains of spring and heat of summer that these pesky fleas just seem to love. There are many forms of prevention for each situation and everyone s experience may be a little different. With a little knowledge and a little work, you can ensure your pet is protected from being a vacation get away for these fleas. The reality of living in an area where fleas are as normal, as a cold glass of sweet tea during a hot day, should not alarm you. The first thing I would like to share is that your pet, inside or outside, is just as equally vulnerable to getting fleas. You much rather be safe and have your pets protected at all times. There are many products available on the market to keep your pet protected from fleas. The most common prevention used is a topical ointment. These are available over the counter and are usually effective for a month. There is a vast selection of topical ointments for dogs and cats, so be sure that you read and select the correct prevention for your pet. Most topical preventions cover more than fleas, and most will also protect against ticks. Some even protect against flea eggs and larvae. There are also chewable preventions. These however are usually included in heartworm prevention, mainly used for dogs. While it s rare, there is heartworm prevention for cats that include the prevention for fleas. These type of preventions, that are included with heartworm prevention, are only available with a prescription and usually administered to you by your vet. The market for products is always changing and there are some chewable prevention for dogs that only treat fleas. The convenience of it being included in heartworm prevention is a plus and one less medication/prevention you have to give. Be sure to always read labels and ensure you have proper dosing for your pet. If you ever have any doubts, we highly recommend visiting your vet. Treating your yard is also another option that further helps putting a stop to the little insects that love to hop on joy ride on your pets. There is an array of products for every need and situation possible. Some are as simple as connecting your water hose and spraying the lawn, waiting for it to dry, and presto. Flea free green grass for your pet s enjoyment. You can get these products at your local feed store or in the garden section of your favorite improvement store. Just a friendly reminder to always be sure to read labels and ensure the products you elect to use are safe for your pet and the correct solution to your problem. Your vet and employee where products are sold can help you identify what your best solution is. 8
April 6, 13, 15, 19, 20 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Low-Cost Vaccinations (Walk In) Garland Pet Adoption Center 813 Main Street, Garland, TX 75040 For Additional Information and Sterilization Scheduling call 940-566-5551 or email April 12, 6-9 p.m. Pups on the Patio Cane Rosso - White Rock 7328 Gaston Ave, Suite 100 Dallas, TX 75214 April 13 & 27, 5:15 p.m. Garland Pawsibilities - Volunteer Training Pet Adoption Center 813 Main St Garland, TX 75040 April 15, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Garland Pawsibilities - Adoption Event Pet Adoption Center 813 Main St Garland, TX 75040 April 22, 6-9 p.m. Paint your Pet What a Great Dog! 655 N Glenville Dr. #100 Richardson, TX 75081 For more information, please email richardson@whatagreatdog.comor call (972) 677-7094. What happened to the egg when he was tickled too much? He crack up! Donations We would like to thank the public for donating food, pet supplies and monetary donations. Your generous donations mean the world to our animals and to all of us. Amy Heeter Diana Elhard Eron Hernandez Lisa Bilek Bryan Mckenney Domenico Piscioneri James/Donna Fowler Sandra Lyman Christopher Ledezma Douglas Casady Kristen Wilck Sue Montgomery David Hernandez Ellenore Grover Laquita Hendrix William Laroe 9
Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) Donation I wish to support the Trap, Neuter, Return program by making a contribution to the animal shelter to help spay and neuter TNR cats. Enclosed is my check for $ Please mail this form and check to: Garland Animal Services TNR Program P.O. Box 469002 Garland, TX 75046 payable to the Garland Animal Services - TNR **Please call Gracie Morales at 972-205-3548 if you would like to make your donation by credit card. *** Name: Street: City: State Zip All donations are tax deductible and we will mail you a receipt. Garland Animal Shelter Adoption Sponsorship Program I wish to support adoption of hard to place: (check one of the following) ( ) dogs ( ) cats ( ) dogs and cats by making a contribution to the animal shelter to help prepay the $80 or $35 adoption fee. Enclosed is my check for $ payable to the City of Garland Animal Adoption Sponsorship. Please mail this form and check to: Garland Animal Services P.O. Box 469002 Garland, TX 75046 **Please call Gracie Morales at 972-205-3548 if you would like to make your donation by credit card. ** Name: Street: City: State Zip E-mail address: NOTE: Your contribution toward Garland s Adoption Sponsorship program will be used to prepay the adoption fee of an animal that would otherwise likely not be adopted. We put a prepaid sign on the animal s cage at the shelter, and those looking for a pet will be much more likely to adopt a prepaid animal. Your contribution is tax deductible, and we will mail you a receipt. For contributions of at least $80, we will email you the photo of the dog(s) and/or cat(s) you sponsored when they are adopted if you would like to receive the photo. We will also include your name as a sponsor on the prepaid sign on the cage if you would so desire. I would like to get an E-mail photo: ( ) Yes ( ) No I would like to include my name on the prepaid sign: ( ) Yes ( ) No If you have any questions about this program, please contact Hugo Espinoza at (972) 205-3571. 10