Monthly Archive for October, 2008



Working Smarter, Not Harder

Published
by
Ruth Steinberger
on October 15, 2008
in Animal Advocacy, Authors and Fall 2008
. 0 Comments

“Learning to work smarter, not harder,” is a central theme of the 2008 fall spay/neuter conference in Chicago. 

As a scheduled speaker at the nationwide conference, I’ve reflected on what “Smarter, not harder,” can mean to each of us in animal activism. 

To me, this catchy slogan means maximizing our effectiveness with the resources we have. 

If our goal is to prevent as great a number of animals from suffering as possible, and in our region we see a lot of animals whose lives fall far below the norm, we need to find ways to be as effective as possible with our precious resources.  We must work smarter; most people in animal welfare cannot possibly work much harder than they now do.  

Working smarter means unifying to change some of the fundamental problems affecting dogs and cats in Oklahoma each day, specifically we face some archaic laws, unresponsive or antagonistic elected officials, and chronic, rural poverty.

Working smarter means getting to the root of these problems, assessing how animals are affected, and working to develop the infrastructure that supports humane and logical progress on animal welfare issues.  

We cannot stretch the minutes in the day, money, mileage, nor space in order to respond to each crisis that comes our way without asking why tragedy often seems to be the norm and not an aberration. As State Outreach Coordinator for Oklahoma Alliance for Animals, in the last month I have gotten e-mails or calls from people trying to find out how to report substandard breeders, a fraudulent rescue, two hoarder cases and more. 

Oklahoma has the largest network for helping low-income homes get pets spayed or neutered in the Midwest, thanks directly to a caring network of veterinarians, leadership from our participating animal welfare groups and the Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association, an organization which deserves immense credit. There are dozens of great rescue organizations.  But in our capitol, Oklahoma based animal welfare organizations are virtually silent.  

How many of us have communicated directly with our state legislators about our passion about animal welfare, or our opposition or support for a certain bill, or even to thank an official? Indeed, many people do not even know who their representatives are. 

We have all called for enforcement of the existing anti-cruelty and neglect laws, most of us support regulations to address puppy mills and fraudulent rescue organizations and we all wonder out loud why animal abandonment is so prevalent. We pick up the pieces, but we are not addressing why there are so many crises to respond to.

A seemingly disconnected hodge-podge of tragedies are no accident; they are predictable outcomes of a few outdated state laws, some elected officials who apparently presume that animal welfare advocates either do not exist or do not vote, and poverty that affects services throughout our state, with a less-than-minimal trickle down for the animals. 

The good news is that we can start to address this each time we go to the polls. 

Working smarter means getting to the root of the problems, and unifying to change them. 

A little known Oklahoma law under Title 21 states that only counties with populations exceeding 200,000 may establish county-run animal shelters or pass county- wide animal welfare codes. (This law pertains only to counties; cities and towns may establish such shelters. Only four counties meet this population base in the state). 

Several attempts have been made to change this law, only to be shot down through lobbying on behalf of county governments.  

In the 2008 general session, HB 3279 was introduced to eliminate the 200,000 population restriction. The bill was defeated in the Oklahoma senate. If you are involved in rural humane activities, ask your representatives how they voted on this matter.  Then ask the other candidate how they feel about it. If an official voted against this law, maybe they pleased a lobbyist; let them know if they didn’t please you. 

Additionally, due to an exemption from Oklahoma’s humane euthanization laws, and a 1990 court decision in Garvin County, it is considered lawful for municipalities with a population fewer than 10,000 to euthanize dogs and cats by shooting.  

Responding to animal welfare complaints is difficult for many agencies because according to the US Department of Justice our level of certified rural law enforcement is just over half the national average level of staffing; predictably animal welfare takes a back seat. 

Why are we in a mess? This all combines to mean that an Oklahoma county with a population under 200,000 may not establish a county animal shelter, is not required to pass a spay/neuter ordinance, nor enact a tag law. At the same time, the small towns and cities within that county may shoot the unfortunate animals that enter its shelter. Few rural shelters adhere to the 1986 Dog and Cat Sterilization Act which mandates that animals originating from shelters be spayed or neutered. And finally, due to staffing it is difficult for law enforcement to respond to animal welfare complaints.  

We cannot collect each abandoned animal as it hits the dirt. Without comprehensive solutions, we will face the same problems a decade from now. 

The mess we are in is glaring. 

With the exception of Mary Fallin (R-Distinct 5), Oklahoma’s congressmen voted against the Animal Fighting Prohibition Act, which was signed into law on May 3, 2007. Dan Boren (D-2nd District), Tom Cole (R-4th District), Frank Lucas (R-3rd District), and John Sullivan (R-1st District), sided with dog fighters at the expense of companion animals and the communities they live in. Our vote, our opinion and common decency meant nothing to them. 

Citing the ridiculous fear that addressing animal fighting would ultimately abridge gun rights, Dan Boren equated strengthening the law with a threat to Oklahoma’s sporting traditions; he sided with criminals rather than be seen as soft on animals. 

Surely the dog fighters, drug dealers and gang bangers did not call to ask for their support, our representatives simply thought our vote did not matter and didn’t give the animals a second thought.    

Fortunately, our legislators did not prevail; shortly after passage of that bill, that law alone closed down Michael Vicks’ Bad Newz Kennel.

We may drive a hundred miles to pick up a rescue dog, but we will not change things until we’re willing to drive those same miles to meet with our legislators.  That official’s vote affects significantly more animals than we will ever come to know. 

Can we succeed? Over three decades ago, a group of angry mothers recognized that while they got sympathy cards when they lost loved ones to drunk drivers, the law enforcement response was dismissive at best. Through demanding appropriate response by public officials, Mothers Against Drunk Driving has turned drunk driving into the most serious driving offense one can commit. 

Animals should not have to suffer until someone intervenes individually on their behalf. If we set our sights on prevention through organizing, rather than continued intervention after the fact, we will help a lot more animals and use a lot less resources.  

Working smarter means electing officials that heed the call to do the right thing.  Oklahoma lawmakers cannot continue to presume that we don’t matter, or even worse, that we don’t care. We care a lot. Our vote can turn the tide around.

Volunteering: The Gift of Self

Published
by
Dolores Proubasta
on October 15, 2008
in Authors, Fall 2008 and General Interest
. 0 Comments

If a visit to the local animal shelter makes you sad and mad, you may be ideally suited to be a direct care volunteer. 

Humane societies, rescue operations, and all welfare organizations need men and women willing to tackle hands-on care; people who don’t flinch at noise, smells, physical work, crises, or, worst of all, dealing with the public. But first and foremost, direct care requires empathy (not just pity or sympathy or love) and also indignation. Yes, indignation at the circumstances that render animals homeless, unwanted, and often scarred physically and mentally is the fuel that fires long-term volunteers, which in direct animal care amount to less than 30% of those who sign up. Ironically, empathy and indignation – the desirable attributes – are also what can drive some enthusiastic volunteers to quit and what can keep potential candidates away.

It’s a given that being in direct contact with the most helpless, innocent, and unprotected victims of society takes its toll on emotions.  Dealing with an endless stream of dogs, cats and other discarded creatures – from newborns to geriatric, healthy or unable to stand, once pampered or having known nothing but misery, highly adoptable or presumably hopeless – can be too painful, too frustrating, too sad, for a right-minded person to endure …. Unless, that is, one broaches the issue constructively.

 Embrace the concept that there is no gain without pain; without volunteers giving generously of themselves, homeless animals could not be spared. It can be overwhelming at first, but according to every direct care volunteer I have interviewed, the key to success is perseverance. The initial despair evolves into a sense of mission. The dread becomes a drive. As consecutive emotional hurdles are cleared, volunteers gain skills, strength, and the realization that they are improving lives; saving lives. As a last-year medical student who volunteers at the Houston SPCA, put it: “It becomes addictive.” 

There are fringe benefits too. Yet another volunteer, a petroleum engineer, told me that the unwanted pounds he could not lose in an expensive gym, melted away walking dogs at the shelter; and loving it. But not all of us are fit to control a 100-pound canine bent on running to the next county.  Direct animal care includes smaller pets, birds and exotics, feeding puppies and kittens, socialization exercises and behavior evaluations, and possibly the most crucial of all volunteer activities (in the comfort of your own home): Foster home care for animals who need medical attention, maturing or fattening up, learning social skills, or some much needed R&R after a long time in the shelter. If direct care is not for you, there are numerous activities in administration, promotion, fund-raising, retail, special events, and more that keep animal welfare organizations running. The important thing is to act.

Everyone develops a code of conduct they find useful. The following points are some recommendations gleaned from conversations with experienced volunteers.

  1. Persevere. Don’t give up just because it is overwhelming or heart wrenching or infuriating … If you do, the animals lose; and so do you. As you grow stronger and realize how critical your help is, you will look forward to it. 
  2. Set a realistic regime of hours you will serve and stick to it, as if it were a paying job (which, in a sense, it is). Reevaluate your schedule, performance, and emotional condition at the end of three months. 
  3. Cooperate with shelter staff and fellow volunteers. Always help others and ask for help if you need it. No task is insignificant if it benefits an animal. 
  4. Don’t complain or criticize. Most rescue facilities are understaffed, in need of repairs, better equipment, and supplies. Knowing this, make the best with what you’ve got or help improve the situation. Create consensus on viable changes and innovative solutions, and work toward their implementation. 
  5. Maintain your sense of humor … or develop one, because you will need it. Talk to the animals out loud as you would talk to a friend while you clean cages, walk or groom them, or simply are in their proximity. Don’t feel awkward doing this, because your voice is therapy to them. 
  6. Use volunteerism as a springboard for education and growth. Read animal care books, attend seminars, know your organization, discuss practices with experienced personnel … anything that makes you more effective at helping animals. Ask questions. Share your knowledge.
  7. “Chill” if you deal with people who surrender their pets. Listen to their reason/excuse but don’t take it at face value, because they usually blame the animal for their own mistakes. Take the surrendered pet away from their presence ASAP; it’s too late for pretending they care. Don’t waste your time or emotions on those people; concentrate on helping the animals. 
  8. Refer to (4) if you deal with the public in adoptions. Help potential adopters find the correct match; i.e., athletic dogs with athletic people; seniors with seniors; etc.  Inform people with children of the situations that may cause a perfectly good dog or cat to bite. Learn which breeds may be a liability with children. Don’t assume adopters know the basics of pet care or training; give them useful tips.
  9. Look sharp and cheerful even if you are holding a mop. Volunteers are the face of the organization and of the very concept of animal welfare! Don’t act like a prison guard, but like the champion you are of wonderful animals and of a noble cause.
  10. Value your own contribution. A bath, a walk, or any kindness to an animal could well be the happiest moment that creature has known. Enabling animals to regain their physical strength and trust in people, preparing them for a better life, is life-saving work. What could be more important?

Large and small animal welfare organizations rely on volunteers for their existence. If you want to help animals in a big way but don’t have a million dollars to donate, then determine the size, philosophy, and speed of the local organization that suits you, and volunteer. Don’t say “I couldn’t bear it;” you may be surprised at your own strength.

On the inevitable times when the spirit sinks and you – like animal welfare workers everywhere – think you can’t take it any longer, choose a cage, any cage, and go inside or sit by it. Tell the occupant of your frustration, your lack of time, your inability to continue … cry if you feel like it. Maybe he or she can persuade you to stay.

The Cat Who Talks

Published
by
Camille Hulen
on October 15, 2008
in Authors, Cat Tales and Fall 2008
. 0 Comments

The story is a familiar one.  Stray cat shows up in backyard, family agrees not to feed it, hoping that it will go home.  The following is the story of Bob, a lucky cat who lives with Mom Janet, Dad Jeff and two kids, Jolee (13) and Kyle (10), as told to me by Janet.

The white furry creature with apricot markings had made himself contentedly at home on our front porch bench. When I put on my meanest face and made my best growl sounds, he simply looked up at me as if to say “Lady, you are totally nuts.  Don’t you know you’re going to love me?”  He didn’t budge.  He didn’t even flinch.  He just kept right on purring like he was entertained.  So I gave in and secretly fed him.  

Shortly thereafter, Jeff was recovering at home from a knee injury, when he accidentally left our garage door open.  The curious kitty found his way inside the house and calmly walked behind a computer desk.  Thinking he’d never get the cat back outside, Jeff started talking to him.  “Kitty, you’ll have to go back outside.”  Much to Jeff’s surprise, the cat immediately stepped out from behind the desk, looked up at Jeff and slowly walked out the way he walked in. This cat could understand English!  

Next, a friend visited, and excitedly told Jeff that this was no ordinary cat.  Jeff called me at work to tell me that “our new kitty is a flame-point Siamese, and he’s special.  This breed is smart, vocal, and has personality.” Vocal is something we were quickly finding out, and it’s probably the attribute that won this cat a permanent home.  

Our other cat, Osu (pronounced Oh-Sue), was strictly an indoor cat.  On several supervised visits indoors, the stray kitty had met Osu, who had been our only pet for 18 years.  Jeff called me at work again.  “You’re never going to believe what our new cat can do.” 

“What?”

“He can talk.” 

“No way.”  After I stopped laughing and started to wonder if Jeff had hurt more than just his knee in his accident, I asked, “Well….exactly what did he say?”

“He was outside the den glass door.  Osu was inside looking out.  The new cat ‘said’ her name perfectly, over and over.  ‘Oh-Sue.  Ohhhhh-Sue.’  At first I didn’t believe it.  And I don’t think Osu believed it either.”

“No way could he be that smart.  It’s just a coincidence.”

Sure enough, it wasn’t long until I heard it.  The new kitty took great delight in pushing Osu’s buttons, and they played this game often.  We also heard other “words” like “Momma,” “Hello” and “I want in.”  The talking kitty, now called “Bob,” had found a home.    

When we went on vacation, Bob went to board at Camille’s Cathouse.  Camille observed that Bob had a “drinking problem,” consuming large amounts of water.  I hadn’t notice that before, because Bob preferred to drink out of our swimming pool.  A visit to the vet confirmed that Bob indeed had a kidney problem. 

Due to all the medication, Bob’s eyesight has declined and he is almost blind.  But that hasn’t affected his attitude or his style.  He can still find all his favorite chairs and hang-outs in the yard.  He enjoys boxes and kitty beds, and even toys that make noise.  He seems to navigate well using his hearing, stopping to carefully smell the air and adjust his path accordingly.

Bob continues to keep us well entertained as the most laid-back cat we’ve ever had.  He has happily socialized during a wedding reception in our yard, purrs all the way to the vet’s office, is king of the kennel at Camille’s, has been Kyle’s show and tell, and takes in stride the visits to the pet store filled with dogs.  He doesn’t even mind being dressed up as Cowboy Bob for Halloween to make the neighborhood trick or treat rounds!  

Osu has since passed away of old age, and we have adopted a new young cat named Midge.  No, Bob hasn’t learned to say her name yet, but his vocalizing does change when we talk about her.  One day Jeff and I were telling him what a good kitty he was.  He was so content, taking it all in, purring and “answering” us in mellow meows.  I then asked him, “Is Midge a good kitty?”  Bob stood up and his vocalization tone immediately changed from contentment to frustration as if to say “No!  The only good one here is ME!”  

We’ve occasionally questioned ourselves whether we should continue Bob’s medicine or just let nature take its course.  Our vet has worked with us to keep costs as low as we can, and Bob pays his part by ridding our backyard of moles. Although Bob seems happy and he’s holding his own, he is in the polyuric phase of kidney failure, and that won’t last forever.  Once he enters the next phase, the end can come rather quickly.  Our family dreads that day, but we know we’ve given extra years to one of the best pets we’ve ever had.  

In choosing us as his family, Bob has taught us many things:  1) Seek out those who love.  2)  Make the most of the hand you are dealt.  3) Love everyone.  4)  When you sign on for a responsibility, you can’t just quit when there’s a problem.  5)  Never stop purring.

Olive’s Tale - From Hard Luck to Good Fortune

Published
by
Nancy Gallimore Werhane
on October 15, 2008
in Authors, Fall 2008 and General Interest
. 0 Comments

She made herself right at home on the spacious porch despite the loud protests of the two Labrador-mix dogs inside the home. No amount of shooing or coaxing was going to convince this pretty Australian Cattle Dog to move along to another place. But hey, she’s a beautiful purebred dog, so she surely has concerned owners searching for her, right? Right?

Wrong. The porch in question belongs to my sister, Terry, and her husband, John. They live on a wonderful piece of property in the country. When the little cow dog showed up, they figured she must have wandered over from a neighboring property. However, a quick check of the area proved that theory wrong. 

Ok, well, dogs can travel pretty far, pretty fast. They posted signs throughout the area and checked for lost dog listings.  Still nothing. Meanwhile, our little blue-furred friend continued to occupy her makeshift home on the porch and the resident dogs continued to voice their adamant disapproval. 

Since we are the family members who are long-time pet rescue volunteers, Terry e-mailed a photo of the dog to me and my significant-other, Jim, for suggestions on what to do next. Regardless of what we planned, however, one glance at the photo told me what the dog was going to do next, whether any of us liked it or not. To my experienced eye, it was clear our foundling girl was going to become a mom—and sooner than later.

So, what are the options for a stray, pregnant dog? It was late spring and area rescue groups were already inundated with puppies so space was limited to non-existent.  Animal shelters will take a pregnant dog, but her long term prognosis there would be grim. A mom dog needs to have a clean, warm, safe place to whelp and raise her puppies. Most shelters are overcrowded and only equipped to house dogs temporarily. 

Despite their best efforts, a city shelter would struggle to provide the proper environment newborn pups need. Beyond that, mom and babies would have to be housed for the next seven to eight weeks before the pups would reach adoption age. City shelters are just not equipped for that length of stay and the risk of exposure to disease would be huge for the puppies. 

Homeless pets, purebred and mixed-breed alike, are an obvious problem in Tulsa as well as across the nation. The City of Tulsa Animal Welfare Center took in more than 14,000 animals last year alone. And frankly, those are the lucky ones. Countless animals are left to fend for themselves each year, often facing illness, starvation, injury or death if no form of rescue comes their way in a timely fashion. The long-standing myth that an unwanted pet can be dropped off in the country where it will find a wonderful home on a farm is a heart-wrenching fallacy. Dogs abandoned along country roads face numerous and untold dangers and often don’t survive. 

And a dog that is not only stray, but also pregnant? Well, left to fend for herself in the country, Olive would have struggled to survive and her puppies would have likely fallen victim to opportunistic predators. Tiny pups are completely helpless for the first several weeks of life and Olive would have had a very hard time trying to protect them. The best hope for an expectant stray is a private foster home.

Fortunately, Olive, so named for the small town near Terry and John’s house, was one of the lucky ones. After it was clear she was not gong to be reclaimed by worried owners, she moved to the space Jim and I share with an interesting mix of dogs and other animals. A place where there are always several foster dogs hanging around and a momma with her soon-to-arrive brood would fit right in.

She settled into the little area that would serve as her private nursery and then we did a whole lot of waiting. The big question was whether Olive would have little Australian Cattle Dog replicas of herself or puppies of questionable paternal heritage. Did she mate with another of her own breed or did she find forbidden love with a passing Great Dane? Oh the possibilities!

Finally the big day arrived and despite two humans doing a bit of an impression of Prissy from Gone with the Wind, seven healthy puppies were born. Lo and behold, they appeared to be perfect little Cattle Dogs.

Olive proved to be a terrific mom and, for the first few weeks, our job was minimal. We kept Olive happy, she kept the puppies happy. Once Olive decided the puppies did not need her full-time care, our job got a bit more involved and a good deal messier, but a passel of adorable puppies made it a true labor of love. It also proved to be a great way to catch up on reading the newspaper in the process of “recycling” it for a noble cause.

As of this writing, five of the puppies have found wonderful new homes where they will receive proper care and lots of love. Olive is available for adoption, but unfortunately has heartworms (it does not affect the pups!) and is undergoing treatment. Once she is well and can be spayed, she will undoubtedly become some lucky family’s well-loved companion. We have one darling red girl puppy, known as Honey, still looking for her perfect family, but we doubt her wait will be long.

The seventh puppy? Well, his name is Boog. He’s quite a character and he wormed his way into a special place in our hearts early on. He’ll be staying here with me, Jim and the other critters that make up Tails You Win Farm. After all, what would a true farm be without a good cow dog, right? 

Nancy Gallimore Werhane is an animal welfare volunteer, a Certified Pet Dog Trainer and co-owner of Pooches Dog Daycare, Training and Grooming facility. 

Lost Pet Found

Published
by
Lawanna Smith
on October 15, 2008
in Authors, Fall 2008 and General Interest
. 0 Comments

An action plan for dealing with every pet owner’s worst nightmare.

It was a warm afternoon when the faint sound of thunder rumbled in the distance. I had just arrived home after running a quick errand and my dogs greeted me at the back gate as I pulled in the driveway. Well, all but one furry face, that is—Baxter, my 10 year old shepherd mix was missing. 

An unsettling feeling passed through my stomach as I recalled hearing the thunder.  Baxter had always been afraid of storms and other loud noises, but the approaching storm was still too far away for my husband to hear it from inside the house. I did a quick search of the property and found no sign of Baxter. Previously, when a storm had panicked him, he jumped the fence, but he was still nearby and came running right back when I called. But not this time.  

Trying to stay calm I got into my car and began driving our walking path in the neighborhood, but still no luck.  After about 30 minutes of searching, I was officially scared.

This lost dog story does have a happy ending. After 48 hours of canvassing the area, posting 100-plus signs, listing Baxter on numerous websites, placing an ad in the paper and putting more than 250 miles on each of our two cars, we brought Baxter home tired, full of fleas and pretty scared, but otherwise fine

Over the course of two days he had traveled about 10 miles that we could track, though likely more. We were able to follow his route by the calls we received in response to our signs. Ultimately, a very kind person responding to one 8” x 10” sign led us straight to our boy for a very happy reunion.

Unfortunately, not all lost pet stories do have a happy ending. Statistics show that one in every three dogs will become lost in its lifetime with only a small percentage recovered. 

Your immediate actions upon discovering your pet is missing can be the difference between success and heartbreak. Following is a list of helpful tips for recovering a       lost pet. 

  1. Act fast. It is a fallacy that pets will find their way home on their own. By immediately beginning your recovery process, your odds of finding your pet increase greatly. Get out on foot—walk your neighborhood and knock on doors. Dogs tend to travel while cats tend to hide out, generally fairly close to home. The more people who know to keep an eye out for your pet the better. 
  2. Check the likely spots. Do you and your dog have a normal walk you take in the area? Is there a park or a house with other dogs your dog likes to visit? Are there neighborhood kids your dog enjoys? Check all the likely “fun spots” first. For lost cats, search the area around your home carefully and then expand your search to likely hiding places around neighboring homes—with permission, of course. Sometimes use of a humane cat trap with a little yummy food in it will do the trick. Check with your animal shelter to see if you can borrow or rent a trap.
  3. Get help! Have someone start making flyers and signs featuring a current photo of your pet while you do your initial search. Make sure your cell phone number is included on your signs so you can be reached immediately at any time of the day or night. Keep that cell phone battery charged!
  4. Keep your signs simple and the text large. Your signs must be very legible.  Passing motorists must be able to read them quickly and easily.  A good tip for keeping your signs fresh and waterproof is to put each flyer in a clear, gallon size zip-closure baggie. 
  5. Give flyers to all of your neighbors and post signs at all entrances/exits to your neighborhood. Ask permission to post signs in yards near intersections. Give flyers to your mail carrier and any delivery people who happen to frequent your neighborhood. Also post signs at all major intersections in your search area.
  6. Start working in a circle from the point where your pet was lost. With each 24-hour period that passes without recovery, expand your sign placement another mile in each direction.  Never think your pet “won’t go that way” or “won’t go that far,” especially with dogs.  You might be amazed how quickly four legs can travel. 
  7. Advertise. Post notices at all local veterinary clinics, grocery stores, community centers and any other public business that will accept a flyer. Be sure to hit all animal-based business such as pet supply stores, training schools, dog daycares, boarding kennels, etc. People who love their own pets are more likely to notice and offer assistance to a stray animal. Place an ad in the lost & found section of the newspaper immediately. People who find a stray pet often look there first. The Tulsa World will run a Lost Dog ad for three days at no charge, but extend the ad if your pet is not recovered after two days. 
  8. Take your search high tech. Modern technology is a great thing and now your computer can provide the key to locating your lost pet. Websites such as http://www.findtoto.com offer phone services (fees specified on the site) to contact people in your area to notify them of your missing pet. This can be a fast, effective way to spread the word. Local rescue groups also offer pet lost and found listings. 
  9. Visit local animal shelters and notify all animal rescue organizations. File a lost pet report with every shelter in your vicinity and visit the nearest shelters daily, if possible. Many shelters are only required to hold animals for a 72-hour period before they can put them up for adoption or authorize euthanasia. You cannot rely on calling to ask if your pet is at the shelter. The Tulsa shelter alone houses hundred of animals and it is virtually impossible for the person answering the phone to know for sure whether your pet has been checked in that day or not. Plus, only you can truly identify your pet. Do provide all animal control agencies and rescue groups with an accurate description and a clear photo of your pet along with all of your contact information. For additional tips on the City of Tulsa Animal Welfare Center policies and procedures visit: http://www.tulsa-animalshelter.org. To locate contact information for other area shelters and rescue groups refer to the Directory portion of TulsaPets Magazine, and also visit the Tulsa Humane Society website at http://www.tulsapets.com or logon to http://www.pets911.com. 
  10. Meet people who claim to have your pet in a public place. Do not give out your home address and do not agree to go to the home of an unknown person. Ask them to meet you at a local veterinarian, pet supply or other public place to return your pet. Be wary of pet-recovery scams. When talking with someone who claims to have found your pet, ask him to describe the pet thoroughly. If the caller does not include specific identifying marks or characteristics, he may not actually have your pet. Be particularly wary of people who ask you to give or wire them money for the return of your pet. It’s ok to offer a reward, but it can attract people with less than honest intentions.
  11. Don’t give up your search! Animals that have been lost for weeks and even months have been reunited with their owners. Keep the word out there. 
  12. Remove your signs! Once you have found your pet, collect all of the signs you have posted. Leaving up signs once a pet has been found is not only pollution, but also unfair clutter for those people who still have missing pets.

Of course keeping proper identification on your pet at all times is also key to a speedy reunion in a lost and found situation. A collar with vet tags, city license and a personalized tag will help keep your pet safe. Collars can be lost, however, so it is recommended you talk to your veterinarian about permanent identification such as a microchip. A chip about the size of a piece of rice is injected under your pet’s skin in the shoulder region. When a scanner is passed over the site of the chip, it pulls up an identification number that leads to all necessary information for locating that animal’s rightful owners.

Even under the most protected circumstances, pets can slip through open doors, gates can be left open by workmen or kids, pets can escape a seemingly sturdy fence. If the unthinkable does happen to you, just remember that a good plan and quick action can lead to a safe and happy recovery. 

Lawanna Smith, CPDT and Nancy Gallimore Werhane, CPDT head up the Dalmatian Assistance League, Inc, are co-owners of Pooches Dog Care Center and are Certified Pet Dog Trainers. 

Dog Owner Liability

Published
by
Lloyd Benedict
on October 15, 2008
in Authors, Fall 2008 and Pet Legal
. 0 Comments

Being a dog owner in Oklahoma requires more than providing tender loving care for your animal.  There are many legal issues to consider with dog ownership. For instance, what if your dog harms someone? Can a person go to jail if their dog attacks someone? Do dog owners have a duty to warn people that their pet is dangerous? Does insurance cover injuries or damages caused by your dog?

Problems may arise if a dog owner falls into a false sense of security by ignoring the fact that his/her dog can potentially cause very serious injuries. This false sense of security may occur because the dog has never shown any unprovoked aggression to family members or strangers.  Although some may believe that only certain dog breeds are more predisposed to cause harm, the reality is that any dog has the potential to do so.  Granted, an attack from a small breed of dog may not be as severe as an attack from a larger breed.  The fact is Oklahoma laws do not discriminate against any particular breed or size, so the likelihood of getting sued is the same regardless of the breed.  Obviously, a more powerful dog may cause greater harm, thus greater consequences await that dog owner.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs annually, resulting in an estimated 800,000 injuries that require medical attention. Because dog attacks are not an uncommon event, all dog owners should be aware of Oklahoma’s State and local laws that concern liability of the dog owner.

One of the most important Oklahoma laws is a statute concerning dog owner liability.  The law allows a dog owner to be sued and held liable to pay all damages caused when their dog, without provocation, bites or injures any person while that person is in or on a place where they have a lawful right to be.  The law further states that postal workers, meter readers and utility workers have a lawful right to be on your property.1

If your dog has previously bitten another person or dog, you should be aware that your responsibilities may be even greater.  Oklahoma law defines a dangerous dog as one that has severely injured a person before, whose owner has already been notified by an animal control authority that the dog is potentially a dangerous dog.  A potentially dangerous dog is defined as one that when unprovoked inflicts bites on a human or other dogs either on public or private property.2

If a person is found to own a dangerous dog, the law requires the dog to be securely confined indoors, or enclosed in a locked pen.3 If you allow a dangerous dog to run loose and it harms a person, you could be found guilty of a misdemeanor, or a felony if a death results, and punishable by imprisonment and large fines.4

Another common concern is whether a dog owner is required to post warning signs on the fence.  Although no state statute requires such, Tulsa has an ordinance that requires a dog owner to post a warning sign on a secure enclosure if the dog has been classified as dangerous. In addition, the owner must carry at least $50,000 of liability insurance that covers injuries caused by the dog, and pay a $10.00 fee to register the dog.5

Although a warning sign is not otherwise required, dog owners still have a legal duty to warn visitors to beware they have a dog that could cause harm.  Warning anyone who has a lawful right to enter your property, such as the meter reader, may lessen your liability for them should they become harmed.

Dog owners, whether they are homeowners or renters, should also understand liability insurance issues.  If you already have insurance it is important to find out from your insurance agent whether the policy would cover injuries or damages caused by your dog.   If you do not have coverage,  you may wish to shop around for another insurer.

While considering how much liability insurance you should carry, make sure the amount is adequate to pay for serious injuries. It is not unusual for dog attacks to cause tens of thousands of dollars in damages. In 2007 the average cost of a dog bite insurance claim was $24,511.6  If you are not properly insured to cover those types of damages, you could find yourself filing bankruptcy or having your wages garnished for a very long time.

In my practice as a lawyer I am frequently confronted with many dog bite cases where the dog owners have no liability insurance whatsoever.  Typically the victim is attacked by a dog that either escaped from a poorly maintained fence or the owner allows the dog to run loose.  It is also my experience that people are not injured just from bites alone, as harm can be caused during a person’s attempt to escape an attack, such as breaking a leg.  Injuries caused to a person while escaping expose dog owners to the same liability as bites do.

If you live near such an irresponsible dog owner, take immediate action by asking them to properly secure their dog.  Explain to them that doing so will not only prevent injuries to people, but to their dog as well. If the dog owner is uncooperative then you should either contact your local police or animal control.

By taking time to understand your liability as a dog owner, you will lessen your risks from a potential lawsuit, and hopefully prevent harm to others.

Bozzie

Published
by
Kim Sykes
on October 15, 2008
in Authors, Fall 2008 and General Interest
. 0 Comments

Often a volunteer hears a thank you for their work, but rarely do they receive national recognition. Bozzie, a nine-year-old Samoyed, was the only Oklahoma nominee in the American Kennel Club’s Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE) award for the Therapy category.

“His patience and kindness have encouraged the development of self-confidence and better reading skills in all of the program participants,” said Kristine Cummings, a First Grade Teacher at MacArthur Elementary School in Tulsa in a letter nominating Bozzie for the AKC ACE award. “Bozzie is able to convince even the most reluctant readers to read to him, as he sits quietly and listens.”

It is just another day volunteering for Bozzie and his owner Sharon Wilson of Claremore. Sharon and Bozzie have gone to MacArthur Elementary at least twice a month for the last two years to listen to children through the R.E.A.D. ® program. Sharon learned of the program and thought Bozzie would be a natural because of his calm and gentle nature. 

“Folks just naturally want to hug him, and he lets them,” she said of the fluffy white dog. “He looks at them with those big brown eyes and lets them pet him while they are reading, or sometimes they will lay on him while they read and he allows that.”

The Reading Education Assistance Dogs, R.E.A.D. ® program is part of the Intermountain Therapy Animals, a Utah nonprofit organization. Started in 1999, it was the first comprehensive literacy program built around children reading to dogs, according to the organization’s website http://www.therapyanimals.org/read. Today, the organization boasts more than 2,000 teams worldwide. The mission of the R.E.A.D. ® program is to improve the literacy skills of children through the assistance of registered therapy teams as literacy mentors – simply put, the student reads to the dog.

The website states that dogs are perfect for the program since they do not judge or laugh at the children when they read aloud and are less intimidating than peers. 

“The staff, students and I are all very fond of Bozzie and his family,” said Cummings. “I know I share their sentiments when I say that his presence has touched the lives of everyone at our school. His service has helped numerous students develop a love of reading that will last their lifetime.”

Sharon also volunteers with three of her other Samoyeds, Calie, Barrett and Sonya, for the R.E.A.D. ® program and other therapy organizations. In addition to listening to children, Bozzie and Sharon are members of Karing K-9s Therapy Dogs in Tulsa and Therapy Dogs Incorporated (WY) and have logged more than 200 hours doing therapy work at hospitals, nursing homes, day cares, rehab units and libraries. 

Sharon says Samoyeds are a family dog with an intelligent, gentle and adaptable disposition. Originally bred to help with the herding of reindeer and sled pulling, the thick coat kept the dogs and their owners warm during the cold artic weather where they originated. Sharon spends many hours grooming the double-coated white dogs in preparation for therapy visits. She jokes that they always leave a little bit of themselves behind after a visit in the form of dog fur.

In addition to volunteering for therapy work, Sharon competes with her dogs in conformation, obedience, rally obedience and trains in dog dancing. Bozzie is officially known as International and American Champion SnoWonder’s Bosley CD U-CD HIC CGC TDI RN WS WSX.

“Bozzie has completed his requirements for his AKC Championship as well as his International Championship and although these are wonderful accomplishments, his work in Animal Assisted Therapy and Animal Assisted Activities bring us many more rewards. I cannot count the times that the staff, doctors, activity directors, teachers and family members have come up to me and thanked us for the volunteer work that we do. They have told us countless times that we have made a difference in their lives.”

While the volunteer work seems like a lot, Sharon, a retired mathematician and computer science instructor for University of Tulsa, wishes she could do more. 

 “When the children see Bozzie they absolutely think he is the most beautiful dog they have ever seen in their lives,” Sharon said of Bozzie. “He is like a magnet, he draws everyone to him. He also is representative of the breed in his gentleness. So he makes a wonderful companion to read to. He tolerates the children petting him and hugging him.”

Oklahoma had two other AKC ACE nominees, both in the Exemplary Companion Dog category; Cookie, a Chihuahua owned by Yolanda Hankins of Tulsa and Zorro, a pug, owned by Linda Price of Stillwater, OK.

The winners of the AKC ACE Award in the five categories including Law Enforcement, Search and Rescue, Therapy, Service and Exemplary Companion Dog were announced in mid-September. While none of the Oklahoma nominees received the ACE award or Honorable Mentions for the ACE program, they are still special companions. A full list of nominees and winners can be found at the AKC website http://www.akc.org.

Aflac - The Duck that Thinks He’s a Dog

Published
by
Judy Langdon
on October 15, 2008
in Authors, Fall 2008 and General Interest
. 0 Comments

If you drove by Capron Veterinary Hospital and Dental Clinic for Pets near East 61st Street and South Sheridan Avenue and saw a duck swimming in a plastic pool behind the building, you may not think twice.

A duck is a duck is a duck, right? 

Until you meet this one, who happens to be named Aflac. 

Named for the personality-plus duck seen frequently on television commercials (who thinks he’s everything but a duck), as a permanent resident of Capron Clinic (and around dog patients), this Aflac thinks he’s a dog. 

“He’s not afraid of any of them,” says Dr. Kenneth Capron, who takes special precautions to keep the dogs away from Aflac.  Still, Aflac has taken on more than his share of canine mannerisms.

Aflac pants and wags his tail. He loves to play chase. He doesn’t quack, but tries to bark. He unties shoelaces, likes shiny nail polish on toes and even chews on shoes (at least the buckles). He lounges in his pool, has his own exercise run and sleeps in the shade. He gets excited when he sees a familiar face or hears a familiar voice. And he loves attention.

Capron, who is a board certified canine dentist, says Aflac loves to watch root canals and occasionally sits in on surgeries. And he helps around the office too. “He waddles beside me as I vacuum,” says Capron’s wife, Beverly.

How Aflac met the Caprons is an amazing story. “He was kind of a rescue duck,” says Dr. Capron. “In July 2002, a cat strayed to our house, so we brought it to the clinic,” he says.

 Days later, a couple showed up at the clinic, and with a two day old tiny yellow duckling they had found on their Tulsa apartment doorstep. “The couple had no idea how it got there, as there was no pond or stream nearby,” says Capron, “and we never saw the couple again.” 

The cat and Aflac became friends, and to the Caprons’ amazement, Aflac “snuggled to the cat, as if bonding.”

A month later, Aflac had grown to twice the size of the cat, and was losing his yellow down. He was also growing a strange topknot on his forehead. “We had never seen this breed before and thought maybe he was deformed or something,” says Capron, who checked out the breed on the Internet. 

Aflac is a non-migratory Muskovy duck, native to Mexico, Central and South America as well as the United States and Canadian provinces. 

According to Wikipedia, most Muskovies have dark brown or black feathers mixed with white in a mottled patter on the head or wings. (Aflac’s feathers are prominently dark green.) 

The male is 86 centimeters long and weighs 10-15 lbs. (Aflac weighs 12.) His most distinctive features are a bare red face with a pronounced caruncle, or comb,  at the base of his bill and a low erectile crest of feathers.

When Aflac gets excited, “his caruncle goes straight up and he starts panting,” says Capron. Eventually, when he mellows out the caruncle flattens. And can he ever strut!

A typical morning start to Aflac’s day is a leisurely swim in his plastic pool and a run around his large pen, followed by breakfast consisting of a game cock mixture (seeds, corn and grains) Capron purchases. 

But when Aflac turned five years old on July 30, at his birthday party, held at the clinic, guess what was served?

Pizza!