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Archive for the 'Animal shelters' Category

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Juvy Hall bids farewell to Biscuit, Gizmo and Scout

November 20th, 2009, 6:20 pm by Samantha Gowen, Pet Tales editor

10juvydogs1120cy_

14juvydogs1120cy_It’s not everyday you sit among former gang members — their hands tattooed in blue ink — and some happy mutts.

But so it was Friday at Juvenile Hall in Orange.

Three last-chance mutts from the Orange County Animal Care shelter graduated with honors after completing a 12-week training program at the facility.

You could say that Gizmo, Biscuit and Scout had a lot in common with the teens that trained them. All had behavioral issues and struggled with boundaries. Biscuit was out of control, Gizmo was a bit lazy, and Scout had a serious case of wanderlust.

With a lot of help from Janette Thomas, the executive director of Another Chance for Love and a dog trainer extraordinaire, the wards and the dogs learned about love, patience and empathy.

Read more: Three mutts ‘paroled’ to new homes

Top photo: Juvenile Hall was home to Biscuit, a terrier-mix, over the past 12 weeks. A group of teen wards cared for and trained three dogs and helped prepare the dogs for new homes.

Left photo: Gizmo, a Pekinese, gets a hug from a trainer on the dog’s graduation day at Juvenile Hall in Orange.

See more photos by Register photographer Cindy Yamanaka.

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Posted in: Animal shelters • Dogs • Pets • Prison pups • adopt • • • • • • • | Post a Comment »

Reminder: Mature Match is about animal attraction

November 18th, 2009, 12:00 pm by Samantha Gowen, Pet Tales editor

Click on Cooper's photo to find out more about him.

The Mature Match event is happening this weekend. Get your date shoes on, folks!

Every year unwanted older pets are euthanized because nobody wants a middle-aged dog with a gray muzzle or a cat with bony hips.

Instead, we flock to the adorable bundles of fur with their puppy breath and tiny paws. They’re cute, trainable, healthy … you get the drift.

So, to lend an old(er) friend some help, the Orange County Animal Care shelter is hoping to match their mature pets with new owners at a special event.

The shelter is hosting a “Meet Your Mature Match” on Nov. 21 (a Saturday) — all day at the Orange facility.

Cats and dogs over the age of 3 will be available for adoption at a reduced price, according to Katie Ingram, spokeswoman for the shelter. Each pet will go home with a free microchip between their shoulders and a free flea treatment applied.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in: Animal shelters • Cats • Dogs • Events • Pets • Rescued • adopt • adoption • • • • | Post a Comment »

‘Miracle’ dog Oreo euthanized Friday in New York

November 14th, 2009, 11:14 am by Samantha Gowen, Pet Tales editor

dogthrownoffroofnysc101All we can say here at Pet Tales is that we hope it was a quick and relatively painless end for Oreo, a pit bull that survived a 6-story fall from a building only to be euthanized for her aggressive behavior.

The plight of this pit bull mix is not uncommon. Abused, injured and troubled, the dog had little chance of a full recovery and a normal life.

Perhaps the efforts of dog lovers and animal advocates now can turn to the thousands of other unwanted dogs and cats waiting for new homes …

From The Associated Press:

A dog that survived being thrown off the roof of a Brooklyn building this summer has been euthanized, despite pleas from animal activists to spare her life.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says the 1-year-old brown-and-white pit bull mix named Oreo was euthanized Friday. The ASPCA said that after working for months to rehabilitate Oreo, it determined she was too dangerous to ever be placed in a home or to live among other dogs. The decision sparked outrage among animal activists.

Authorities say Oreo suffered two broken legs when she was thrown off the roof June 18. Nineteen-year-old Fabian Henderson pleaded guilty to aggravated cruelty to animals and is to be sentenced. Neither he nor his attorney could be immediately reached for comment.

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Recent animal news:

Posted in: Abuse • Animal shelters • Animals • Dogs • Pets • safety • • • • | 4 Comments »

CARE teams up with Petsmart to save needy pets

November 13th, 2009, 4:24 pm by Samantha Gowen, Pet Tales editor

If you’re shopping at the neighborhood Petsmart this weekend, consider helping out a homeless pet.

For those of you in south Orange County (or anywhere else), you can visit the animals of CARE at the San Juan Capistrano store location.

Capistrano Animal Rescue Effort will take part in the PetSmart’s “Holiday National Adoption Event,” which will be held today through Sunday.

Petsmart — with the help of local rescue groups and animal shelters — hopes to connect more than 1,000 homeless pets with new families this weekend.

CARE associates will be at the store from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday with adoptable animals recovered from Orange County Animal Services.  All animals have been spay/neutered, fitted with a microchip ID, have their required immunizations and been examined by a vet.

And to assist new “pet parents” with caring for their new family member, PetSmart will provide every dog and cat adopter with free samples from Pro Plan®, Tidy Cats® and PetSmart.

PetSmart is located at 33963 Doheny Park Road (Camino Capistrano) in San Juan Capistrano.  For more information on the event, contact PetSmart at (949) 443-5336.

For information on CARE, visit www.capoanimalrescue.com or call 949-240-1735.

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Posted in: Animal shelters • Cats • Dogs • Events • PetSmart • Pets • Rescue groups • adopt • adoption • fundraiser • • • • | Post a Comment »

Juvy Hall dogs have served their time, need homes

November 12th, 2009, 7:36 pm by Samantha Gowen, Pet Tales editor

gizmo-head-shot

Gizmo and Biscuit have served their sentence over at Juvenile Hall in Orange.

The dogs, both of which also did time at the Orange County Animal Care shelter, are due to graduate from a prison pups program next Friday (Nov. 20).

Wards at the facility have been working with the Gizmo and Biscuit, as (young) men and beast learn about behavior, structure and love.

Now Gizmo and Biscuit need your attention. Both dogs are potty and crate trained, and know all their basic obedience commands.

Here’s more about the pups, according to Janette Thomas, executive director with Another Chance for Love:

Biscuit

Gizmo:  18-months-old, neutered male, Pekingese (top photo)

Gizmo is very social and loving and would make an ideal companion for someone looking for a lap dog.  His energy level is moderate to low and he does great with dogs and people.

Biscuit: 1 year old, neutered male, border terrier mix (white dog)

Biscuit is very sweet and friendly, but a bit shy when you first meet him.  He loves to play and is great with adults, kids and dogs.  His energy level is moderate, not your typical hyper Terrier.

If you are interested in adopting either of these dogs, please contact Janette Thomas acfl09@yahoo.com or 714-505-9235.

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Posted in: Animal shelters • Dogs • Events • Pets • Prison pups • adoption • training • • • • • | Post a Comment »

Dog pulled from brink of death to be euthanized

November 12th, 2009, 6:37 pm by Samantha Gowen, Pet Tales editor

dogthrownoffroofnysc101

Go home and hug your dog. This story breaks our hearts:

(Reported by Cristian Salazar of The Associated Press)

Oreo was called a miracle dog when she was thrown off the roof of a six-story Brooklyn building this summer and survived.

But nearly four months later, the 1-year-old brown-and-white pit bull mix growled and lunged at people gathered in a playroom to see her, then turned and lunged at a female handler who had pulled back furiously on the 62-pound dog’s heavy leash.

After months of working to rehabilitate Oreo, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said it had determined she is too dangerous to ever be placed in a home or even to live among other dogs.

The organization said it plans to euthanize her Friday.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in: Abuse • Animal shelters • Animals • Dogs • safety • • • | 10 Comments »

‘Mature Match’ event is all about animal attraction

November 10th, 2009, 12:38 pm by Samantha Gowen, Pet Tales editor

This is Angel, a 4-year-old basset hound mix. She's available for adoption. Click on her photo to learn more.

Are you looking for a mature match at home?

And no, we’re not talking about those naughty cougars and their south-county prey …

Every year unwanted older pets are euthanized because nobody wants a middle-aged dog with a gray muzzle or a cat with bony hips.

Instead, we flock to the adorable bundles of fur with their puppy breath and tiny paws. They’re cute, trainable, healthy … you get the drift.

So, to lend an old(er) friend some help, the Orange County Animal Care shelter is hoping to match their mature pets with new owners at a special event.

The shelter is hosting a “Meet Your Mature Match” on Nov. 21 (a Saturday) — all day at the Orange facility.

Cats and dogs over the age of 3 will be available for adoption at a reduced price, according to Katie Ingram, spokeswoman for the shelter. Each pet will go home with a free microchip between their shoulders and a free flea treatment applied.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in: Animal shelters • Cats • Dogs • Events • Pets • Rescued • adopt • adoption • • • • | 1 Comment »

Don’t forget: Weekend events include pups, too!

November 6th, 2009, 7:11 pm by Samantha Gowen, Pet Tales editor

There are a couple events worth remembering and attending this weekend. Be sure to get those leashes and walking shoes ready!

In Newport Beach:

Paws and claws will hit Balboa Pier for a good cause Saturday (Nov. 7) for the second annual Sheltering Fur, Feathers and Flippers event.

More than 100 furred, feathered, flippered and even finned creatures will be at Peninsula Park — adjacent to Newport’s “second” pier — as part of an adoption and education fete hosted by Paws of the Planet, a nonprofit group.

Click here to read more about the event.

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In Lake Forest:

Friends of Lake Forest Animals is hosting a pet eflyer-pet-extravaganzaxtravaganza from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Pittsford Park in Lake Forest.

The event will feature pets that need new homes, contests, vendors and entertainment. Your well-behaved pooches are welcome to participate, on a 6-foot leash, of course!

Note: Donate a used cell phone and receive a free raffle ticket to win a basket packed with treats. Free goodie bags also will be given to the first 200 people.

Read more about the event by clicking here.

Click here for the Google map to Pittsford Park.

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Help a dog in need while you shop

If you’re shopping this weekend, stop by your neighborhood Petco.

Petco has launched its annual National Adoption Weekend with a pledge to get 1,000 area homeless pets adopted by the New Year.

The adoption event takes place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (Nov. 7-8) at local Petco stores.

You can read more about the adoption campaign here.

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No time this weekend, how about Tuesday?

If your weekend is already booked up, there’s an event Tuesday that’s kid friendly and features a fabulous dog, Nubs.

Maj. Brian Dennis and his dog, Nubs, will be in town Nov. 10 at City Hall in Mission Viejo to share their story, “Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine & a Miracle.”

Read more about the book-signing event here.

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Posted in: Animal shelters • Animals • Community • Contests • Dogs • Events • Pets • dog demonstrations • fundraiser • | Post a Comment »

Low-cost clinic spares ‘Octo Kitty’ more babies

November 5th, 2009, 6:08 pm by Samantha Gowen, Pet Tales editor

mama-kittens

sams-sig1

My co-workers might as well call me Cat Lady.

For months I’ve been regaling them with stories about Mama Kitty, a prolific, free-roaming cat on my street in Old Towne Orange.

Mama Kitty waddled up back in March, round and ready to pop. She busted out four wee ones on April 23. It took some time, but eventually I rounded up her hissing posse of kits from a neighbor’s unused dog house, convinced the critters that friendly really was best, and found the foursome — Lily, Smokey, Sophie and Taz — new homes.

Except for Mama.

I stuffed the grumpy cat into my trusty cat carrier and hustled her to the low-cost spay and neuter clinic in Garden Grove: The Golden State Humane Society.

A few hours later, the phone rang here at my desk.

Ms. Gowen, we cannot spay your cat; she’s pregnant.”

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in: Animal shelters • Animals • Cats • Pets • Spay-Neuter • Wildlife • contest • feral • litter box • low-cost clinic • • • • | 2 Comments »

Dogged star power ups reward to $5,000

November 5th, 2009, 3:16 pm by Samantha Gowen, Pet Tales editor

jillian-maggie

We say this as a compliment. Jillian Reynolds, you are like a dog on a bone.

The TV personality has put her celebrity connections to work and has collected $5,000 in pledges to help solve the case of a dog beaten Oct. 30 in Huntington Beach.

Reynolds messaged her fans and followers today via Twitter:

“The reward for info on two boys who beat the dog is up to 5 thousand dollars!! Thanks to my friends Lori and Danny!!! Let’s find these boys.”

The co-host of Good Day LA on KTTV Fox11 has been collecting money to draw attention to the unsolved case of Maggie, a dog that was rescued after being struck repeatedly by two boys wielding miniature baseball bats on Oct. 30 near the intersection of Beach Boulevard and Warner Avenue. A passerby intervened, and then took the injured pit bull mix home in a shopping cart.

The witness, Stephen Taonev, sought help from a neighbor who transported the dog to the Animal Assistance League of Orange County, which has a shelter in Midway City. Shelter employees realized the dog could not walk because of her injuries, so they took her to the Advanced Critical Care and Internal Medicine pet hospital in Tustin for treatment.

Slayer

We haven’t forgotten you, cat people. Take our daily pet poll:  Potty talk, what does your finicky feline favor?

AALOC President Colleen McCammon said Thursday that Maggie’s recovery will take several weeks. The 18-month-old pit bull mix has been moved to a 24-hour daycare facility that specializes in injured or sick pets.

“Maggie’s been great,” McCammon said. “She’s been sweet with everyone.”
McCammon said the nonprofit has received about a dozen offers from people to adopt Maggie, when she’s fully healed.

Dr. Heather Mineo, a critical-care veterinarian at the Tustin animal hospital, said the dog had probably been hit by a car before she was beaten. X-rays revealed Maggie had multiple pelvic fractures, two rib fractures, and nerve damage to her left front leg.

The AALOC is now offering the reward money in exchange for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the people who abused the dog.

If you would like to contribute funds to the dog’s veterinary bill, you can e-mail aaloc@aaloc.org or call 714-893-4393. Tax-deductible donations can be sent to: Animal Assistance League of Orange County, P.O. Box 38, Midway City, CA 92655.

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Recent animal news:

Posted in: Abuse • Animal shelters • Dogs • Pets • adopt • fundraiser • safety • • • • • | 8 Comments »

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