Checking for dog licenses: Van Buren County officers to go door to door in compliance sweep
Published: Thursday, July 15, 2010, 8:33 AM Updated: Thursday, July 15, 2010, 9:14 AM
Rex Hall Jr. | Kalamazoo Gazette Rex Hall Jr. | Kalamazoo Gazette
PAW PAW —
Checking for dog licenses: Van Buren County officers to go door to door in compliance sweep
Van Buren County authorities are putting residents on notice — Fido may not drive, but he still needs a license.
Animal control officers, along with volunteers from the sheriff’s office, were to begin a six-week countywide compliance check to ensure that dogs in the county have up-to-date licenses and rabies vaccinations.
The effort, which goes until the end of August, is the first of its kind in the county in more than 15 years, Undersheriff Gabrielle Rought said.
“It is a daunting task,” Rought said. “They’re going to try to get to as many doors as they can.”
Rought said animal control officers received lists Wednesday of residents whose dogs are currently in compliance and those residents who have not renewed their animals’ licenses.
Officers and volunteers will go door to door and check to see whether dogs are properly licensed.
She said residents who are found not to be in compliance will be written a citation for the offense, which is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail and/or a fine of $10 to $100. The good news, though, is that if Fido doesn’t have a license, owners can have the citation voided if their dog receives a rabies vaccination and has its license renewed within 10 days of the citation.
“What they’re going to be avoiding is the criminal charge and the fines associated with that,” Rought said. “It’s not revenue driven, it’s purely to bring the public into compliance if there’s a problem there.”
A dog license in Van Buren County costs $5 for a dog that has been spayed or neutered and $10 for a dog that has not been spayed or neutered, according to the county’s Web site.
Those registering their dogs late will pay $15 for a dog that has been spayed or neutered and $30 for a dog that has not been altered.
While Van Buren County officials are undertaking the effort, officials in other Southwest Michigan counties said they’ve never done a countywide sweep because of a lack of manpower.
“The door-to-door thing really is a great thing and it’s great tool,” said Tom Miller, St. Joseph County’s animal control director. “It gets people in compliance, it makes revenue for your county.”
In Allegan County, sheriff’s Lt. Frank Baker said animal control officials have conducted a dog census in previous years, but never a full-scale compliance check for dog licenses.
“We’d like to, we just haven’t been able to do it,” said Baker, citing budget constraints.
As for the effort in Van Buren County, Rought said officials also will be checking homes for evidence of dogs where an animal has never been registered. She said officers also, at their discretion, may even knock on the doors of owners who are in compliance.
Contact Rex Hall Jr. at rhall@kalamazoogazette.com or 269-388-7784.
© 2010 MLive.com. All rights reserved.
Warm weather is on the way...
We all love spending the long, sunny days of summer outdoors with our furry companions, but being overeager in hot weather can spell danger, warn ASPCA experts.
"Even the healthiest pets can suffer from dehydration, heat stroke and sunburn if overexposed to the heat," says Dr. Lila Miller, ASPCA Vice President of Veterinary Outreach, "and heat stroke can be fatal if not treated promptly."
Take these simple precautions, provided by ASPCA experts, to help prevent your pet from overheating. And if you suspect your pet is suffering from heat stroke, get help from your veterinarian immediately.
Visit the Vet
A visit to the veterinarian for a spring or early summer check-up is a must. Make sure your pets get tested for heartworm if they aren't on year-round preventive medication. Do parasites bug your animal companions? Ask your doctor to recommend a safe flea and tick control program.
Made in the Shade
Pets can get dehydrated quickly, so give them plenty of fresh, clean water when it's hot outdoors. Make sure your pets have a shady place to get out of the sun, be careful to not over-exercise them, and keep them indoors when it's extremely hot.
Know the Warning Signs
According to Dr. Lila Miller, ASPCA Vice President of Veterinary Outreach, "symptoms of overheating in pets include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor or even collapse. They can also include seizures, bloody diarrhea and vomit along with an elevated body temperature of over 104 degrees." Animals with flat faces, like Pugs and Persian cats, are more susceptible to heat stroke since they cannot pant as effectively. These pets, along with the elderly, the overweight, and those with heart or lung diseases, should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.
No Parking!
Never leave your animals alone in a parked vehicle. "On a hot day, a parked car can become a furnace in no time—even with the windows open—which could lead to fatal heat stroke," says Dr. Louise Murray, Director of Medicine at ASPCA Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital. Also, leaving pets unattended in cars in extreme weather is illegal in several states.
Make a Safe Splash
Do not leave pets unsupervised around a pool—not all dogs are good swimmers. Introduce your pets to water gradually and make sure they wear flotation devices when on boats. Rinse your dog off after swimming to remove chlorine or salt from his fur, and try to keep your dog from drinking pool water, which contains chlorine and other chemicals that could cause stomach upset.
Screen Test
"During warmer months, the ASPCA sees an increase in injured animals as a result of High-Rise Syndrome, which occurs when pets—mostly cats—fall out of windows or doors and are seriously or fatally injured," says Dr. Murray. "Pet owners need to know that this is completely preventable if they take simple precautions." Keep all unscreened windows or doors in your home closed and make sure adjustable screens are tightly secured.
Summer Style
Giving your dog a lightweight summer haircut helps prevent overheating. Shave down to a one-inch length, never to the skin, so your dog still has some protection from the sun. Brushing cats more often than usual can prevent problems caused by excessive heat. As far as skin care, be sure that any sunscreen or insect repellent product you use on your pets is labeled specifically for use on animals.
Street Smarts
When the temperature is very high, don't let your dog linger on hot asphalt. Being so close the ground, your pooch's body can heat up quickly, and sensitive paw pads can burn. Keep walks during these times to a minimum.
Avoid Chemicals
Commonly used flea and tick products, rodenticides (mouse and rat baits), and lawn and garden insecticides can be harmful to cats and dogs if ingested, so keep them out of reach. When walking your dog, steer clear of areas that you suspect have been sprayed with insecticides or other chemicals. Keep citronella candles, oil products and insect coils out of pets' reach as well. Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 if you suspect your animal has ingested a poisonous substance.
Party Animals
Taking Fido to a backyard barbeque or party? Remember that the food and drink offered to guests may be poisonous to pets. "Keep alcoholic beverages away from pets, as they can cause intoxication, depression and comas," says Dr. Steven Hansen, ASPCA Senior Vice President of Animal Health Services. "Similarly, remember that the snacks enjoyed by your human friends should not be a treat for your pet; any change of diet, even for one meal, may give your dog or cat severe digestive ailments. Avoid raisins, grapes, onions, chocolate and products with the sweetener xylitol."
Fireworks Aren't Very Pet-riotic
Please leave pets at home when you head out to Fourth of July celebrations, and never use fireworks around pets. "Exposure to lit fireworks can potentially result in severe burns or trauma to curious pets, and even unused fireworks can be hazardous," says Dr. Hansen. "Many types of fireworks contain potentially toxic substances such as potassium nitrate, copper, chlorates, arsenic and other heavy metals."
"Even the healthiest pets can suffer from dehydration, heat stroke and sunburn if overexposed to the heat," says Dr. Lila Miller, ASPCA Vice President of Veterinary Outreach, "and heat stroke can be fatal if not treated promptly."
Take these simple precautions, provided by ASPCA experts, to help prevent your pet from overheating. And if you suspect your pet is suffering from heat stroke, get help from your veterinarian immediately.
Visit the Vet
A visit to the veterinarian for a spring or early summer check-up is a must. Make sure your pets get tested for heartworm if they aren't on year-round preventive medication. Do parasites bug your animal companions? Ask your doctor to recommend a safe flea and tick control program.
Made in the Shade
Pets can get dehydrated quickly, so give them plenty of fresh, clean water when it's hot outdoors. Make sure your pets have a shady place to get out of the sun, be careful to not over-exercise them, and keep them indoors when it's extremely hot.
Know the Warning Signs
According to Dr. Lila Miller, ASPCA Vice President of Veterinary Outreach, "symptoms of overheating in pets include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor or even collapse. They can also include seizures, bloody diarrhea and vomit along with an elevated body temperature of over 104 degrees." Animals with flat faces, like Pugs and Persian cats, are more susceptible to heat stroke since they cannot pant as effectively. These pets, along with the elderly, the overweight, and those with heart or lung diseases, should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.
No Parking!
Never leave your animals alone in a parked vehicle. "On a hot day, a parked car can become a furnace in no time—even with the windows open—which could lead to fatal heat stroke," says Dr. Louise Murray, Director of Medicine at ASPCA Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital. Also, leaving pets unattended in cars in extreme weather is illegal in several states.
Make a Safe Splash
Do not leave pets unsupervised around a pool—not all dogs are good swimmers. Introduce your pets to water gradually and make sure they wear flotation devices when on boats. Rinse your dog off after swimming to remove chlorine or salt from his fur, and try to keep your dog from drinking pool water, which contains chlorine and other chemicals that could cause stomach upset.
Screen Test
"During warmer months, the ASPCA sees an increase in injured animals as a result of High-Rise Syndrome, which occurs when pets—mostly cats—fall out of windows or doors and are seriously or fatally injured," says Dr. Murray. "Pet owners need to know that this is completely preventable if they take simple precautions." Keep all unscreened windows or doors in your home closed and make sure adjustable screens are tightly secured.
Summer Style
Giving your dog a lightweight summer haircut helps prevent overheating. Shave down to a one-inch length, never to the skin, so your dog still has some protection from the sun. Brushing cats more often than usual can prevent problems caused by excessive heat. As far as skin care, be sure that any sunscreen or insect repellent product you use on your pets is labeled specifically for use on animals.
Street Smarts
When the temperature is very high, don't let your dog linger on hot asphalt. Being so close the ground, your pooch's body can heat up quickly, and sensitive paw pads can burn. Keep walks during these times to a minimum.
Avoid Chemicals
Commonly used flea and tick products, rodenticides (mouse and rat baits), and lawn and garden insecticides can be harmful to cats and dogs if ingested, so keep them out of reach. When walking your dog, steer clear of areas that you suspect have been sprayed with insecticides or other chemicals. Keep citronella candles, oil products and insect coils out of pets' reach as well. Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 if you suspect your animal has ingested a poisonous substance.
Party Animals
Taking Fido to a backyard barbeque or party? Remember that the food and drink offered to guests may be poisonous to pets. "Keep alcoholic beverages away from pets, as they can cause intoxication, depression and comas," says Dr. Steven Hansen, ASPCA Senior Vice President of Animal Health Services. "Similarly, remember that the snacks enjoyed by your human friends should not be a treat for your pet; any change of diet, even for one meal, may give your dog or cat severe digestive ailments. Avoid raisins, grapes, onions, chocolate and products with the sweetener xylitol."
Fireworks Aren't Very Pet-riotic
Please leave pets at home when you head out to Fourth of July celebrations, and never use fireworks around pets. "Exposure to lit fireworks can potentially result in severe burns or trauma to curious pets, and even unused fireworks can be hazardous," says Dr. Hansen. "Many types of fireworks contain potentially toxic substances such as potassium nitrate, copper, chlorates, arsenic and other heavy metals."
FLEAS AND TICKS ARE HERE
Fleas are here... time to start FRONTLINE!
Frontline Plus topical: Many treatments are available for dogs and cats but none are safer or more effective than Frontline. Frontline is easy to apply, simply place the contents of the small tube onto the back of the neck or shoulder blades. Frontline contains no harmful organophosphates; it’s safe for both cats and dogs. A single application lasts for 1 month. Frontline will not wash off with bathing or swimming. Frontline is effective against both fleas and ticks.
Treating your home is as important as treating your pet, since up to 90% of the flea population actually resides in places like carpet and pet bedding. We recommend a hand held spray like Ectokyl IGR. Unlike a bomb that goes into the air and settles onto the surface of the carpet, Ectokyl is directed down into the carpet, going deep into the webbing where the eggs and larvae are. We recommend spraying low exposure areas once monthly and high exposure areas once weekly. Always follow label directions.
Frontline Plus topical: Many treatments are available for dogs and cats but none are safer or more effective than Frontline. Frontline is easy to apply, simply place the contents of the small tube onto the back of the neck or shoulder blades. Frontline contains no harmful organophosphates; it’s safe for both cats and dogs. A single application lasts for 1 month. Frontline will not wash off with bathing or swimming. Frontline is effective against both fleas and ticks.
Treating your home is as important as treating your pet, since up to 90% of the flea population actually resides in places like carpet and pet bedding. We recommend a hand held spray like Ectokyl IGR. Unlike a bomb that goes into the air and settles onto the surface of the carpet, Ectokyl is directed down into the carpet, going deep into the webbing where the eggs and larvae are. We recommend spraying low exposure areas once monthly and high exposure areas once weekly. Always follow label directions.
Pet Insurance from ASPCA
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Our kennels have had a "facelift"!! We are ready to board your dogs and cats.