A recent article on MSNBC.com (which I've linked to in the title above,) reported the best cities in the U.S. to be a dog, according to the editors at Dog Fancy.
Florida was represented by Orlando. While we agree O-Town is indeed pet friendly, I mean that is where doggie dining came out the dog door, it is by no means the only city in the sunshine state that welcomes the Fidos and Fluffys of the world. Here are a couple more additions we'd make to the best cities list, in no particular order, and we'll add more later. And we'll even do a future blog about the not-at-all pet friendly cities in Florida.
1. Miami Beach
Thanks to a terrific group called Responsible Dog Owners of Miami Beach, there are now more wag friendly places and events in south Florida than you can shake a dog biscuit at.
2. Amelia Island/Fernandina Beach
Hey, this is my old stomping ground. Having FloridaPets.net, it's been interesting to hear about folks from other parts of the state who get all twisted up and downright weird about dogs on the beach, in shoppes, at outdoor restaurants patios and in motels and hotels. While this island hasn't totally gone to the dogs, there is no fuss attitude about companion animals and therefore, they're welcome in many places, including on the beach - always have been and if we can keep the uptight folks away, always will be, I hope!
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Monday, October 8, 2007
Change has to come from everyone
The following is an editorial I wrote that was published in one of our area newspapers. I've also linked to it directly from the title above, cited accordingly. While it specifically targets animal issues in Nassau County, Florida, the general concept applies everywhere.
All have responsibility in fixing Nassau animal control concern
By My Nassau Sun
Today's Nassau County Animal Control mess is no different than what it was 20 years ago. Interim County Administrator Ted Selby's comment about animal control, "I need the emotions out of it," ["County wants new outside review of animal control," My Nassau Sun, Sept. 29] is exactly the sort of attitude that has allowed the mess to continue.
For any kind of real change to take place in respect to animals and animal control in Nassau County, a whole lot of people are going to have to put emotions into it - positive ones - and back up those emotions with positive action.
Everyone has the power to turn this mess around. Here's who - and how - from one resident's perspective.
Nassau County commissioners need to:
- Hire only animal control directors and staff that care about the welfare of animals and are dedicated and skilled in promoting responsible pet ownership.
- Quickly investigate and if found valid, punish to the fullest extent of the law, any incidents reported by the public of abuse or neglect of the animals or animal control policy by animal control personnel. There is simply no room in any facet of the animal control mess to "take the emotions out."
- Set aside money to establish an affordable and accessible countywide spay/neuter program. It could be implemented from a mobile spay/neuter bus that would set up once or twice a month at various locations around the county. Money spent on this program could greatly reduce the number of animals taken to the shelter, affecting the county budget in a positive fashion.
Animal control personnel need to:
- Return found animals with identifying tags or microchips to their owners immediately. This will free up space in the shelter for animals without ID and leave more time to find good, adoptive homes for them. There is no need to spend taxpayers' money to process or house any animal with current identification.
- Enforce current leash laws by levying substantial fines against residents who continue to ignore them. Fining violators of leash laws will bring more money into the county coffers.
- Develop a humane education program to take to each school in the county, highlighting, in age-appropriate fashion, the benefits of spaying and neutering pets and defining responsible pet ownership.
- Allow the public ample access to view adoptable animals. This means the shelter needs to be open when the public can visit. Closing time during the week should be extended to at least 6 p.m. and the shelter needs to be open a few hours every Saturday and Sunday.
- Ask for community volunteers and sponsors to help set up a presence online, complete with up-to-date photos and description of animals being housed and available for adoption.
- Stop being isolated and secretive. Both in-county and national groups and organizations, such as Best Friends Animal Society, have information to share, such as how to apply for grants and how to put into place programs to decrease the county's animal overpopulation. Processing fewer animals, adopting out more and in general, lessening the number of abused, neglected and abandoned animals in the county can save animal control time and taxpayers a lot of money.
- Commit in writing to the Nassau County Commission that only sick or vicious animals will ever be euthanized.
Nassau County veterinarians need to:
- Understand that if spay and neutering services aren't affordable, people will not pay for their pets to have the surgeries and then we're back to animals breeding and ending up at the shelter.
- Step up to the plate and provide services at least one day per month for a low-cost spay/neuter program proposed above. The county could offer a small stipend for the service. In addition, participating veterinarians would receive free advertising as the program is promoted.
Local newspapers need to:
- Stop playing a part in this mess by helping people throw away animals. Stop allowing "Free Pet" ads in the classifieds.
- Develop a new policy that requires customers to charge at least $25 for the pet being offered. Dog-fighting organizations, not to mention experimental laboratories, look for "Free Pet" ads for quick and free sources of bait or lab subjects.
The people of Nassau County need to:
- Realize we have the most important role in cleaning up this mess. We are supposed to be the caretakers of our animals - even the Bible says so.
- Stop allowing our animals to roam all over the place, while we disregard leash laws.
- Stop allowing our animals to breed at will; refusing to have them spayed or neutered because we want our kids to "see just one mommy dog have puppies."
- Stop "backyard breeding," where people who keep allowing their dog to mix it up with a neighborhood dog or tom cat are later seen standing in the old Winn-Dixie parking lot giving away the puppies or kittens to who knows who, for who knows what purpose.
- Make sure our pets wear collars, tags with our current address and phone number, and a safe micro-chip. If someone finds our pet, it's a simple phone call back to us. Or, if our pet should ever end up at animal control, no one can say they didn't know to whom it belonged.
- Realize that dogs and cats are not articles of property, like cars or couches. They are living, breathing beings. Families, schools and churches should be teaching our children about responsible pet ownership, about being good stewards for all God's creatures.
- Honor the memory of a beloved past pet by adopting a needy animal from the Nassau County animal control facility instead of buying one from a pet store or backyard breeder.
If the Nassau County Commission, Animal Control personnel, veterinarians, newspapers and every member of the public, with or without pets, would stop finger-pointing and just do their part, the animal control mess in Nassau County can be cleaned up, step by step. Fewer animals will end up at the shelter, fewer residents will complain about animal control, more animals can be adopted into good homes and the county can pocket the savings for a future "no-kill" shelter.
Patricia Collier
All have responsibility in fixing Nassau animal control concern
By My Nassau Sun
Today's Nassau County Animal Control mess is no different than what it was 20 years ago. Interim County Administrator Ted Selby's comment about animal control, "I need the emotions out of it," ["County wants new outside review of animal control," My Nassau Sun, Sept. 29] is exactly the sort of attitude that has allowed the mess to continue.
For any kind of real change to take place in respect to animals and animal control in Nassau County, a whole lot of people are going to have to put emotions into it - positive ones - and back up those emotions with positive action.
Everyone has the power to turn this mess around. Here's who - and how - from one resident's perspective.
Nassau County commissioners need to:
- Hire only animal control directors and staff that care about the welfare of animals and are dedicated and skilled in promoting responsible pet ownership.
- Quickly investigate and if found valid, punish to the fullest extent of the law, any incidents reported by the public of abuse or neglect of the animals or animal control policy by animal control personnel. There is simply no room in any facet of the animal control mess to "take the emotions out."
- Set aside money to establish an affordable and accessible countywide spay/neuter program. It could be implemented from a mobile spay/neuter bus that would set up once or twice a month at various locations around the county. Money spent on this program could greatly reduce the number of animals taken to the shelter, affecting the county budget in a positive fashion.
Animal control personnel need to:
- Return found animals with identifying tags or microchips to their owners immediately. This will free up space in the shelter for animals without ID and leave more time to find good, adoptive homes for them. There is no need to spend taxpayers' money to process or house any animal with current identification.
- Enforce current leash laws by levying substantial fines against residents who continue to ignore them. Fining violators of leash laws will bring more money into the county coffers.
- Develop a humane education program to take to each school in the county, highlighting, in age-appropriate fashion, the benefits of spaying and neutering pets and defining responsible pet ownership.
- Allow the public ample access to view adoptable animals. This means the shelter needs to be open when the public can visit. Closing time during the week should be extended to at least 6 p.m. and the shelter needs to be open a few hours every Saturday and Sunday.
- Ask for community volunteers and sponsors to help set up a presence online, complete with up-to-date photos and description of animals being housed and available for adoption.
- Stop being isolated and secretive. Both in-county and national groups and organizations, such as Best Friends Animal Society, have information to share, such as how to apply for grants and how to put into place programs to decrease the county's animal overpopulation. Processing fewer animals, adopting out more and in general, lessening the number of abused, neglected and abandoned animals in the county can save animal control time and taxpayers a lot of money.
- Commit in writing to the Nassau County Commission that only sick or vicious animals will ever be euthanized.
Nassau County veterinarians need to:
- Understand that if spay and neutering services aren't affordable, people will not pay for their pets to have the surgeries and then we're back to animals breeding and ending up at the shelter.
- Step up to the plate and provide services at least one day per month for a low-cost spay/neuter program proposed above. The county could offer a small stipend for the service. In addition, participating veterinarians would receive free advertising as the program is promoted.
Local newspapers need to:
- Stop playing a part in this mess by helping people throw away animals. Stop allowing "Free Pet" ads in the classifieds.
- Develop a new policy that requires customers to charge at least $25 for the pet being offered. Dog-fighting organizations, not to mention experimental laboratories, look for "Free Pet" ads for quick and free sources of bait or lab subjects.
The people of Nassau County need to:
- Realize we have the most important role in cleaning up this mess. We are supposed to be the caretakers of our animals - even the Bible says so.
- Stop allowing our animals to roam all over the place, while we disregard leash laws.
- Stop allowing our animals to breed at will; refusing to have them spayed or neutered because we want our kids to "see just one mommy dog have puppies."
- Stop "backyard breeding," where people who keep allowing their dog to mix it up with a neighborhood dog or tom cat are later seen standing in the old Winn-Dixie parking lot giving away the puppies or kittens to who knows who, for who knows what purpose.
- Make sure our pets wear collars, tags with our current address and phone number, and a safe micro-chip. If someone finds our pet, it's a simple phone call back to us. Or, if our pet should ever end up at animal control, no one can say they didn't know to whom it belonged.
- Realize that dogs and cats are not articles of property, like cars or couches. They are living, breathing beings. Families, schools and churches should be teaching our children about responsible pet ownership, about being good stewards for all God's creatures.
- Honor the memory of a beloved past pet by adopting a needy animal from the Nassau County animal control facility instead of buying one from a pet store or backyard breeder.
If the Nassau County Commission, Animal Control personnel, veterinarians, newspapers and every member of the public, with or without pets, would stop finger-pointing and just do their part, the animal control mess in Nassau County can be cleaned up, step by step. Fewer animals will end up at the shelter, fewer residents will complain about animal control, more animals can be adopted into good homes and the county can pocket the savings for a future "no-kill" shelter.
Patricia Collier
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Eh, "Do No Harm" applies to your dog, too, doc!
Accused of leaving his dog in his hot BMW, Dr. Chris Nussbaum has been charged with animal cruelty, according to a story published on TampaBays10.com. The Hillsborough doc left his 10-year-old female Rhodesian Ridgeback in his locked car in the parking lot of Southbay Hospital in Sun City Center.
Investigators from the Hillsborough County Animal Services were alerted to the situation by a witness. They were just getting ready to break the car's windows to rescue Rainbow when Nussbaum arrived. He was issued a notice to appear in court and was released.
Rainbow didn't fare as well. Investigators took her from Nussbaum and had her evaluated by a veterinarian, but she was later returned to Nussbaum who was told to take her to his vet for treatment. I would imagine Rainbow is hoping for no more car rides.
Investigators from the Hillsborough County Animal Services were alerted to the situation by a witness. They were just getting ready to break the car's windows to rescue Rainbow when Nussbaum arrived. He was issued a notice to appear in court and was released.
Rainbow didn't fare as well. Investigators took her from Nussbaum and had her evaluated by a veterinarian, but she was later returned to Nussbaum who was told to take her to his vet for treatment. I would imagine Rainbow is hoping for no more car rides.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Left behind
Having a Web site relating to people and pets makes me want to scream at least once a day. It's not hard work - I love it. It's not the animals - I love them; I share my life with enough to make up a soccer team.
It's the people I don't like. Not all of them because I have met some awesome people who, like me, love pets and humanity and all that's still good in the world.
The people I don't like are those who don't love their animals, who don't treasure every moment they have together, who leave them behind - literally, behind. Alone, in an empty house or tied up in an overgrown back yard. Not a word to anyone, a neighbor, a friend, that there is an animal being left. No thought to the animal at all. They do this sort of thing...when moving to another city or state and the pet is suddenly an inconvenience...when fleeing a hurricane...and now, the latest, when the bank has foreclosed on their house and they're not sure where they'll be spending their next night. (Click on title link for the article which promoted this blog entry.)
Hey, before you paint me callous, I am not without understanding here. In one of the darkest hours of my life several years ago, after my divorce, I was faced with the possibility of not being able to afford to stay in my home. I considered putting the house up for sale. I thought about the moving process and where would I go. I worried the bank would foreclose before I could sell it.
I frequently envisioned myself, walking down Interstate 95, with nothing but my cat in his carrier under one arm, a small suitcase full of all my earthly belongings under another, maneuvering three leashes with panting dogs on the end of them. I might have to start sleeping under a bridge, I told myself, but at least I'd be with my animals.
Point is, my life was not in good shape. But never once did I decide to vacate my home and leave my animals behind to...grow hungry, be confused as to where I went, wonder where was food, where was water, where was mommy, growing weaker every day...until the unthinkable might happen.
If you ever face a foreclosure, or if you ever move and know pets won't be accepted in your new residence, or if you ever flee a hurricane, PLEASE let my words ring in your ear. Make arrangements for your pet(s) beforehand. If you can no longer care for a pet, please contact your local humane society or animal rescue. You'll be starting over, so please give them the chance to do the same, not to die a slow, painful death alone, in what was once their home with their beloved, UNdeserving humans.
It's the people I don't like. Not all of them because I have met some awesome people who, like me, love pets and humanity and all that's still good in the world.
The people I don't like are those who don't love their animals, who don't treasure every moment they have together, who leave them behind - literally, behind. Alone, in an empty house or tied up in an overgrown back yard. Not a word to anyone, a neighbor, a friend, that there is an animal being left. No thought to the animal at all. They do this sort of thing...when moving to another city or state and the pet is suddenly an inconvenience...when fleeing a hurricane...and now, the latest, when the bank has foreclosed on their house and they're not sure where they'll be spending their next night. (Click on title link for the article which promoted this blog entry.)
Hey, before you paint me callous, I am not without understanding here. In one of the darkest hours of my life several years ago, after my divorce, I was faced with the possibility of not being able to afford to stay in my home. I considered putting the house up for sale. I thought about the moving process and where would I go. I worried the bank would foreclose before I could sell it.
I frequently envisioned myself, walking down Interstate 95, with nothing but my cat in his carrier under one arm, a small suitcase full of all my earthly belongings under another, maneuvering three leashes with panting dogs on the end of them. I might have to start sleeping under a bridge, I told myself, but at least I'd be with my animals.
Point is, my life was not in good shape. But never once did I decide to vacate my home and leave my animals behind to...grow hungry, be confused as to where I went, wonder where was food, where was water, where was mommy, growing weaker every day...until the unthinkable might happen.
If you ever face a foreclosure, or if you ever move and know pets won't be accepted in your new residence, or if you ever flee a hurricane, PLEASE let my words ring in your ear. Make arrangements for your pet(s) beforehand. If you can no longer care for a pet, please contact your local humane society or animal rescue. You'll be starting over, so please give them the chance to do the same, not to die a slow, painful death alone, in what was once their home with their beloved, UNdeserving humans.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Pets part of the family is no news to some of us
I just read the funniest thing. There are scientists out there, trying to decide if people feel close to their pets. I swear. Actual time and money are being spent to figure this out.
University of Florida psychology professor Frederic Desmond had this to say on the topic, "There is some research that says pets are seen as an extension of a person's family."
Isn't that precious?
I think I'd refer Professor Desmond to the American Pet Product Manufacturers Association, which provides all kinds of statistics about American people and pets. For example, according to the Association's 2007-2008 National Pet Owners Survey, people with pets is currently at its highest level with 71.1 million households in the U.S. having the companionship of at least one pet (63% of the 113.7 million total U.S. households). The increase is up from 69 million households in 2004.
And we're spending our money on our beloved pets too, Professor Desmond. Collectively, people with pets will plunk down about $41 billion a year on their non-human friends. For things like food that won't poison them, vet checks, health insurance, grooming, clothes, and more toys and accessories than you can shake a Frisbee at. I'd say that's more than a satisfactory amount of compelling research for you, sir.
So, yes, Professor Desmond, pet people do indeed think of their pets as extensions of their family. Actually, not just extensions; we think of them as actual members of our families. And we're better for it.
University of Florida psychology professor Frederic Desmond had this to say on the topic, "There is some research that says pets are seen as an extension of a person's family."
Isn't that precious?
I think I'd refer Professor Desmond to the American Pet Product Manufacturers Association, which provides all kinds of statistics about American people and pets. For example, according to the Association's 2007-2008 National Pet Owners Survey, people with pets is currently at its highest level with 71.1 million households in the U.S. having the companionship of at least one pet (63% of the 113.7 million total U.S. households). The increase is up from 69 million households in 2004.
And we're spending our money on our beloved pets too, Professor Desmond. Collectively, people with pets will plunk down about $41 billion a year on their non-human friends. For things like food that won't poison them, vet checks, health insurance, grooming, clothes, and more toys and accessories than you can shake a Frisbee at. I'd say that's more than a satisfactory amount of compelling research for you, sir.
So, yes, Professor Desmond, pet people do indeed think of their pets as extensions of their family. Actually, not just extensions; we think of them as actual members of our families. And we're better for it.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Stem cells are helping horses and dogs
While humans continue to debate stem cell research, some veterinarians are actually using it to help with conditions like arthritis in dogs and horses.
Vet-Stem, based in California, specializes in "veterinary regenerative medicine" and has used its licensed stem cell therapy in horses for three years. They're now offering that service to dogs which they can treat with their own stem cells to repair tendons and ligaments. Can you image?
The process is called "fat-derived stem cell treatment" and will be even more widely used commercially this fall, when vets across the nation will be able to
become credentialed users via online training at the company’s Web site
http://www.vet-stem.com.
Will your vet get credentialed?
Vet-Stem, based in California, specializes in "veterinary regenerative medicine" and has used its licensed stem cell therapy in horses for three years. They're now offering that service to dogs which they can treat with their own stem cells to repair tendons and ligaments. Can you image?
The process is called "fat-derived stem cell treatment" and will be even more widely used commercially this fall, when vets across the nation will be able to
become credentialed users via online training at the company’s Web site
http://www.vet-stem.com.
Will your vet get credentialed?
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Space Coast Feline Network Receives $10,000
Space Coast Feline Network (SCFN) will receive a $10,000 grant from Florida Animal Friends Spay/Neuter license plate sales. This grant will allow a significant increase in the number of cats sterilized by the SCFN by providing an increase in spay/neuter services to low income caregivers in particular, and to those who support large colonies of feral cats
Space Coast Feline Network is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to decreasing the feral cat population in Brevard County through low-cost spay/neuter services for feral cat caregivers. It also provides education to caregivers at quarterly caregiver workshops that are scheduled for 2007 at the Central Brevard Library in Cocoa. Further information can be found on the SCFN Web site at http://www.spacecoastfelinenetwork.com or by calling the Helpline at 321-631-SPAY (631-7729).
SCFN volunteers coordinate spay/neuter clinics at various locations throughout Brevard County , including SPCA of North Brevard and Animal Medical Clinic in Melbourne , and at The Piedmont Animal Clinic in Apopka , FL. This grant will allow more feral cats to be spayed and neutered over the next year.
The Animal Friends License Plate is available for purchase for $44.60 when renewing a vehicle license plate. A pro-rated amount is charged if a vehicle owner wishes to purchase this specialty plate within 3 months of the owner’s birthday. Funds from the sale of the license plate are used exclusively to fight cat and dog overpopulation by increasing the number of animals sterilized. For additional information go to: http://www.floridaanimalfriends.org.
SCFN is also pursuing the donation of a late model van to help with transportation to clinics. Reliable transportation has become a high priority with the receipt of this grant to spay and neuter more feral cats.
Space Coast Feline Network is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to decreasing the feral cat population in Brevard County through low-cost spay/neuter services for feral cat caregivers. It also provides education to caregivers at quarterly caregiver workshops that are scheduled for 2007 at the Central Brevard Library in Cocoa. Further information can be found on the SCFN Web site at http://www.spacecoastfelinenetwork.com or by calling the Helpline at 321-631-SPAY (631-7729).
SCFN volunteers coordinate spay/neuter clinics at various locations throughout Brevard County , including SPCA of North Brevard and Animal Medical Clinic in Melbourne , and at The Piedmont Animal Clinic in Apopka , FL. This grant will allow more feral cats to be spayed and neutered over the next year.
The Animal Friends License Plate is available for purchase for $44.60 when renewing a vehicle license plate. A pro-rated amount is charged if a vehicle owner wishes to purchase this specialty plate within 3 months of the owner’s birthday. Funds from the sale of the license plate are used exclusively to fight cat and dog overpopulation by increasing the number of animals sterilized. For additional information go to: http://www.floridaanimalfriends.org.
SCFN is also pursuing the donation of a late model van to help with transportation to clinics. Reliable transportation has become a high priority with the receipt of this grant to spay and neuter more feral cats.
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