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News
Latest News Items:
Puppy Mills Legislation -- Thursday April 9th, 2009
Both bills HB1468 and SB 238
were passed through the Senate and House yesterday. Now they will be sent
to Conference committee where hopefully they'll both be fixed and made
into better bills.
Puppy Mills -- Sunday April 5th, 2009
Indiana is now #3 in the nation with puppy mills- behind Missouri and Pennsylvania. The Amish are the #1 Breeders of dogs in the country. An Amish man that brokers puppies bragged that he made over 1.5 million Dollars last year! (FYI- CARE rescued a young dog from an owner that purchased this pup from Uncle Bills Pet Store in Greenwood. He was constantly sick, has has thousands of dollars spent on him and we have found out that he was Amish bred and that the illness, a liver shunt, is a common birth defect from Amish breeders.) There are few to no laws regulating breeders and they want even less! Many Amish (and other breeders) are leaving their state and moving to Indiana because of our lack of laws. They are looking for USDA to monitor puppy breeding - it would be laws like -FOOD BOWLS WASHED ONCE A MONTH, ANIMALS MUST BE FED ONCE A DAY, CAGES MUST BE CLEANED ONCE A DAY, (note nothing about exercise). There would be no limit on the number of litters a dog can produce a year nor any age limit on the parents. A breeder from Columbus (yup, she fought the breeder laws tooth and nail here!!) bragged that her 12 year old cocker is still having pups! (Probably in the basement where she keeps her dogs) This local breeder is fighting for and with Uncle Bills!
Home For the Holidays -- Thursday January 1st, 2009
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Thanks to all who supported the Iams Home 4 the Holidays! Iams Home 4 the Holidays
HOME 4 THE HOLIDAYS was a success!! 75 animals are now in their forever homes!
We gave people ample opportunities to see our animals and even animals from Columbus Animal Control by bringing adoptable animals to Pet Pictures with Santa (2 weekends in a row)and then our regular adoption event the third weekend.
A huge thank you to Santa Tim Solzak for his patience and kindness and volunteering for both weekends!
Thank you to our foster homes and everyone who transported animals to vet appointments (to get them ready), fostered them, and then helped get them adopted!
Check out more on how CARE did, and about the event here (http://care.rescuegroups.org/info/display?PageID=6070 .
$700 Received from Petco! -- Friday October 5th, 2007
A few weeks ago, PETCO stores across the country conducted the Round
Up/Spay Today 2007 campaign to raise funds for spay/neuter organizations
and programs nationwide and in our commmunity.
Our local PETCO raised $700.00 for us this year !
Thank you PETCO for your continued partnership!
Parvo Alert -- Tuesday September 25th, 2007
Local shelters and vets are beginning to see quite a few cases of Parvo
recently and we wanted to make sure everyone is aware. Here is some info
about Parvo that all dog owners should be aware of:
Canine Parvovirus - American Veterinary Medical Association AVMA:
Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious and serious disease caused by a
virus that attacks the gastrointestinal tract of puppies and dogs.
Puppies and dogs usually become infected when they ingest virus that is
passed in the feces (stool) of an infected dog. Canine parvovirus is
resistant to changes in environmental conditions and can survive for long
periods of time. Trace amounts of feces containing parvovirus may serve as
reservoirs of infection and the virus is readily transmitted from place to
place on the hair or feet of dogs or via contaminated cages, shoes, or
other objects.
All dogs are at risk, but puppies less than four months old and dogs that
have not been vaccinated against canine parvovirus are at increased risk
of acquiring the disease.
Canine parvovirus causes lethargy; loss of appetite; fever; vomiting; and
severe, often bloody, diarrhea. Vomiting and diarrhea can cause rapid
dehydration, and most deaths from parvovirus occur within 48 to 72 hours
following onset of clinical signs. If your puppy or dog shows any of these
signs, you should contact your veterinarian promptly.
Vaccination is important. Young puppies are very susceptible to infection,
particularly because the natural immunity provided in their mothers' milk
may wear off before the puppies' own immune systems are mature enough to
fight off infection. If a puppy is exposed to canine parvovirus during
this gap in protection, it may become ill. An additional concern is that
immunity provided by a mother's milk may interfere with an effective
response to vaccination. This means even vaccinated puppies may
occasionally succumb to parvovirus. To narrow gaps in protection and
provide optimal protection against parvovirus during the first few months
of life, a series of puppy vaccinations are administered.
To protect their adult dogs, pet owners should be sure that their dog's
parvovirus vaccination is up-to-date.
In spite of proper vaccination, a small percentage of dogs do not develop
protective immunity and remain susceptible to infection.
Until a puppy has received its complete series of vaccinations, pet owners
should use caution when bringing their pet to places where young puppies
congregate (e.g. pet shops, parks, puppy classes, obedience classes, doggy
daycare, and grooming establishments). Reputable establishments and
training programs reduce exposure risk by requiring vaccinations, health
examinations, good hygiene, and isolation of ill puppies and dogs. Contact
with known infected dogs and their premises should always be avoided.
Finally, do not allow your puppy or dog to come into contact with the
fecal waste of other dogs while walking or playing outdoors. Prompt and
proper disposal of waste material is always advisable as a way to limit
spread of canine parvovirus infection.
3rd Annual Doggie Swim -- Sunday August 12th, 2007
By Brenda Showalter
bshowalter@therepublic.com
Labradors, Chihuahuas, poodles, boxers and mutts shared Donner Pool Sunday evening at the third annual Doggie Swim. It was a chance for the canines to cool off, play in the water and make new fourlegged
friends. Danyell Bevington could hardly keep her 5-month-old Labrador-Australian shepherdmix puppy out of the pool. “He really enjoys swimming,†she said as he leaped into the deep end and enthusiastically paddled about.
Dogs of all shapes, sizes and breeds enjoyed the season-ending event at Donner Pool that had its last regular swim session Sunday afternoon. With area schools starting classes this week, the pool had to end the summer season early due to a shortage of lifeguards,
many of whom are high school and college students returning to class.
Dogs and their owners took advantage of the opportunity on a day when temperatures soared again into the 90s.
Admission was $5 per dog, with $3 going to Community Animal Rescue Effort that planned to use the funds for its spay and neuter program.
Last year, 90 dogs participated in the swim, and organizers
estimated a similar number turned out this year.
Mike Keogh of the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department said for many years residents asked about the possibility of having a dog
swim, and the first was held in 2005.
The popularity of the event was evident with a full parking lot and dozens of dogs wading, swimming, jumping and fetching. A few of the more adventurous dogs even took a leap off the diving board. Others
stayed in the kiddie pool. “I think it’s great,†said Nathan Burns, whose 9-year old Boxer, Teco, stood in the water at the edge of the pool.
Burns’ girlfriend, Donna Stevenson, said Teco was a little timid with so many other dogs around, but she was impressed that most of the dogs were well behaved. “I kind of expected some conflict,†said Sue Smith, who brought her 4-year-old Labrador, Madeline. Smith figured the dogs were too excited and having too much fun to worry about the other dogs. Madeline was joined by several other Labradors, who naturally enjoy the water and liked retrieving balls and toys tossed into the pool. The dog owners, many with cameras, seemed to get as much fun out of the day as their pets. Even those without a dog stopped by and watched the fun from the pool’s balcony.
$730 Spay Day USA Grant -- Friday April 20th, 2007
CARE will be awarded $730.00 in May for participating in this year's Spay
Day USA in February.
Not only did we sign up over 300 animals to be spayed/neutered that month
but now we can offset the cost of the assistance we provided to be able to
help even more!
Hurray!
See below email for more details.
- Kelly Glick
CARE
---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
Subject: Spay Day USA 2007 Grant Money
From: "Vicki Stevens"
Date: Fri, April 20, 2007 10:51 am
To: care@rescuegroups.org
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
April 20, 2007
Ms. Kelly Glick
Community Animal Rescue Effort (CARE)
P. O. Box 1234
Columbus, IN 47202
Dear Ms. Glick,
Congratulations! In early May, Community Animal Rescue Effort (CARE)
will receive a check for $733.95, courtesy of The HSUS's members and
supporters, who raised this money during Spay Day USA on your behalf, to
be used for spay/neuter. You are eligible to receive this money because
you:
* Registered and held a Spay Day USA 2007 event
* Reported the results of your event to us by the deadline
* Submitted to us your IRS determination letter and completed W-9
During Spay Day USA 2007, event organizers reported having spayed or
neutered more than 20,000 animals, raised more that a quarter of a
million dollars, and exposed nearly two million people to the
spay/neuter message.* Full results are posted on our website,
www.SpayDayUSA.org . Click on the "View
Spay Day USA 2007 Results" link in the green box at the top of the page.
Be sure not to miss:
* The Spay Day USA video, accessible by clicking on the video link
in the right hand column of the Results page.
* Links at the very bottom of the Results page (in alternating
green and white rows), which take you to additional information about
Spay Day USA 2007.
* The results of the Spay Day USA 2007 contest. Click on the
"Every Spay/Neuter Counts!" link in the 5th bullet point, 3rd paragraph
on the Results page.
On behalf of all of us here at The HSUS, thank you, Ms. Glick, for
participating in Spay Day USA 2007 and in our fundraising program. We
hope you will host another event for Spay Day USA 2008, which is certain
to be even bigger and better!
For the animals,
Vicki Stevens
Spay Day USA National Coordinator
CARE Receives Grant Funds -- Thursday March 29th, 2007
CARE animal rescue has received a $1,500 grant from Bartholomew REMC Membership Community Trust (Operation Round-Up). The money will go into CARE's Education Fund and will be used to help CARE "adopt" local elementary school classrooms and provide them with NAHEE's KIND News - a monthly newspaper that educates kids to be responsible pet owners.
Pets Breathe in Life -- Thursday March 22nd, 2007
Pets breathe in life
By Chris Schilling - The Republic - Reporter
Life-saving oxygen masks for animals have been given to every Bartholomew County fire station by a local animal welfare group.
Members of CARE and firefighters hope the masks will save animals who suffer from injuries during fires.
"People suffer enough when they go through a fire, but to lose a pet makes it even worse," said Elaine DeClue, CARE president.
CARE raised donations after reading articles about the masks.
The sets of oxygen masks come in three small, cone-shape sizes that fit snugly on animals, from dogs and cats to rabbits and birds.
Bartholomew County will be among only a few places in the nation that have firefighters prepared to save pets, DeClue said.
State Fire Marshal Roger Johnson estimated that pets die in 25 percent of all house fires.
He said having the masks for animals is as important as having oxygen masks and heart defibrillators for people.
"I think it's one of the nicest gestures I've seen around here in a long time for pets," Johnson said.
The fire marshal has first-hand experience of trying to save a pet without the proper equipment.
Years ago, firefighters pulled a dog from a house fire near Taylorsville. Johnson said he detected a heartbeat and tried using a human mask to save the dog.
It didn't fit the dog's face, and Johnson and other firefighters rushed the dog to a veterinarian.
The dog succumbed to its injuries.
Johnson believes the outcome would have been different if firefighters had had the oxygen masks.
"Time is of the essence," Johnson said. "You only have a certain window of opportunity to save a human being, or it's a lost cause. The same goes for pets."
Thank You! -- Friday February 23rd, 2007
THE REPUBLIC: Spay-neuter event huge success
From: Kelly Glick CARE Received: Feb. 19
First of all, a big thank you to all who have helped promote this spay/neuter event. Thanks for hanging flyers, putting radio messages on the air, getting letters and stories in the paper and for helping to spread the word.
Thank you to Caroline, Beth and Julie who sat at a table for three hours without a break taking money and answering questions. Thanks to Nick, Charlotte and Jackie for getting those people in the door and pointed in the right direction. Thanks to Elaine who even though she was 30 minutes late helped me answer a constant barrage of questions.
We had 181 cats and 89 dogs signed up in three hours. That’s 270 animals — and this is the final count when we ran out of papers. I still have some that are waiting to hear back to fill out the rest of the paperwork, and I would imagine that number is close to 40-50.
We are going to be sending five full clinics to pets alive in the next month — to put this in perspective, last year our total number of animals sent to pets alive was 532 and now we’re sending 270+ in one month!
Thanks, everyone. Since it was so popular we will try and do this again in the summer. If this effort won’t start making a difference in our number of homeless pets, then I’m at a loss for what will.
Pet Control Benefits All -- Saturday February 17th, 2007
Pet control benefits all in community - THE REPUBLIC - By Elaine DeClue ----Does anyone really CARE?
I know I do and I know other people do, but yet it seems there are many people in Bartholomew County who don't care about the number of animals euthanized in our local shelters.
Maybe they just are not aware of the extent of the problem because if they were, they would certainly want to help those animals in need.
Last year 1,586 cats came into our shelters and only 195 were adopted. Our county had 1,286 dogs enter the shelters and again, only 495 were adopted. Over 1,300 cats and 600 dogs were euthanized! If you also include local rescue groups, the number of homeless, unwanted animals is hundreds of animals higher.
What can a concerned Bartholomew County resident do? It's simple, spay and neuter your pets! This one-time surgery can make a world of difference in our community.
Today, Community Animal Rescue Effort of Bartholomew County will offer sign-up for very-low-cost spay/neuter surgeries for county residents at the Petco store on National Road.
Did you know that an unspayed female cat, her mate and all of their offspring can produce 2,107 cats in only four years!
February is National Spay/Neuter month. It's in February because animals start to go into heat once again.
CARE is offering low prices to help everyone get their pets "fixed." There are no excuses not to have this surgery done! Any dog or cat more than eight weeks old and more than two pounds can have this surgery. Spay/neuter surgery promotes better behavior and better health in all cats and dogs.
Another thing you can do is to contact our local city or county government. Our county and city need tougher laws to help reduce the breeding of animals.
Enacting permits such as a "breeder's permit" would allow "show" breeders the once-a-year litter they breed, but would impose large fees and fines to stop the backyard breeders from having litter after litter of puppies that are bred only for money, not for the love of the breed.
A responsible breeder normally has placed their new puppies or kittens in good homes before they are born. They do extensive testing to make sure their animals do not carry any genetic defects inherent to their breed, and they always take back their animals if something should happen to the owner.
They also require the dogs/cats be spayed/neutered if not up to their breed standards or if they are to be kept as pets. Responsible breeders care about their puppies and kittens. On the other hand, the backyard breeder does none of the above.
What is so common to our county is an owner of two Labrador retrievers who lets them breed over and over as often as they can. Litters of eight puppies three times a year equals 24 pups sold to whomever pays the price.
The pit-bull terrier is the No. 1 dog brought into the shelters, with Labs a close second. We can stop the unnecessary killing by stopping the breeding.
The reduction in the number of animals in our shelters will reduce the amount of money spent by the taxpayers in this county and city. Everyone, animal lovers or not, can benefit from tougher laws.
Please sign up your dog/cat, stray cats in your neighborhood or your barn cats. Tell neighbors, friends and family about the benefits of spay/neuter!
There is no limit on the number of pets you can sign up, you will pay at sign-up, but do not need to bring your animals with you Saturday. This offer is for Bartholomew County residents, because we want to make a difference here for our local homeless animals.
Elementary School Program -- Thursday February 1st, 2007
CARE is beginning it's education at the classroom level by providing NAHEE's Kind NEWS program to all 2nd & 4th grade classrooms in Bartholomew County.
The National Association for Humane Environmental Education (NAHEE) is a program by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). NAHEE provides KIND News (Kids In Nature's Defense) subscriptions for all grades K-6.
CARE is beginning with 2nd & 4th Graders in Fall of 2007 but will look to expand the program and include more classrooms in 2008.
Stay tuned for more info! Learn more about NAHEE: www.nahee.org
You can help by "adopting" a classroom for $32/year - Learn more: www.nahee.org
PetSmart Grant Received -- Tuesday December 5th, 2006
Animal rescue group receives $10K grant
By Kelsey VanArsdall
The Republic - Reporter
Neglected animal care in Bartholomew County has received a boost.
Columbus' Community Animal Rescue Effort received a $10,000 grant Monday from PetSmart Charities to assist with the group's spay and neuter efforts and educational programs.
"We are just so excited," said CARE vice president Kelly Glick. "We can start using this grant right away."
CARE offers low-cost spay and neuter services for pets residing in Bartholomew County through the Bloomington-based Pets ALIVE Clinic.
This year the rescue group privately has assisted the community with more than $4,500 in assistance funds, helping to spay or neuter more than 147 cats and dogs.
Glick said the grant will increase the group's efforts by 25 percent and allow most low-income residents who apply for the spay or neuter program to place only a $10 deposit for their animal to undergo the procedure.
"Our goal is to reduce the pet overpopulation in Bartholomew County by 50 percent in the next two years."
The group hosts monthly sign-up for the spay and neuter program and allows Bartholomew residents to drop off their animals for transport to the Bloomington clinic.
CARE's next signup runs from 12 to 4 p.m. Dec. 16 at Petco in Columbus. The clinic is Dec. 18 and 19.
Online registration is also available at care.rescuegroups.org.
Home 4 the Holidays '06 -- Tuesday December 5th, 2006
Home 4 Holidays returns
By Kelsey VanArsdall
The Republic - Reporter
"There's no place like home for the holidays. ...
"For the holidays, you can't beat home, sweet home."
Three Columbus groups are working to fulfill the message of that song for the county's neglected cats and dogs.
The Columbus City Shelter, Bartholomew County Humane Society and Community Animal Rescue Effort are participating in the worldwide program Home 4 the Holidays, sponsored by Iams.
"It's about finding these animals good, permanent homes," said CARE Vice President Kelly Glick.
"We hope that people will consider us, instead of purchasing on a whim from a pet store."
This year marks CARE's third with Home 4 the Holidays, the Humane Society's fifth and the city shelter's second.
Since the program's start on Nov. 6, CARE has found homes for eight animals, and the Humane Society has placed 31.
The city shelter has adopted out 21 dogs. Shelter manager Kevin Konetzka said the shelter's growing feline population continues to be a problem.
"We deal with more cats than we do dogs, and it's harder to find homes for cats," he said.
Adoptions include spaying or neutering, medical checks and a new pet pack with dry and wet food samples, coupons and a tip booklet.
"I always look forward to this time of year; it's neat to be part of a national program," said Jane Irwin, Humane Society manager.
"Iams is really supportive, and the packs come with some great literature."
Iams Home 4 the Holidays started in 1999 by the San Diego-based Helen Woodward Animal Center.
The center and about 14 area shelters found homes for more than 2,500 orphaned animals.
The program now includes more than 2,400 shelters in 11 countries, including 92 shelters in Indiana.
The goal is to place more than 350,000 worldwide.
Pets Deserve to be Fixed! -- Wednesday September 20th, 2006
Letter: Pets deserve to be spayed, neutered
From: Elaine DeClue
Columbus
Received Sept. 12
October is "Adopt a Dog" month. Appropriately named since many puppies born in the month of September are routinely sold, dropped off at local shelters, turned over to animal rescue groups or simply given away "Free to Good Home."
Most of the aforementioned facilities and groups are already filled to capacity and the number of available, caring, loving families willing to take on the responsibility of pet ownership continues to be a challenge.
Simply stated, there are just not enough quality spaces for all of the stray dogs, puppies, cats and kittens. The alternative for many of these unwanted pets is heartbreaking.
The answer to this problem is fairly simple. Spay and neutering your dog or cat can have a dramatic effect on the pet population and therefore reduce the numbers of animals coming into the shelters and groups.
There should be no excuse for getting this one-time surgery. Low cost, spay and neuter programs are readily available in Columbus and Bartholomew County.
Not only does this surgery sterilize your pet, it also prevents cancer in the reproductive organs, decreases the number of aggressive male dogs and leads to a happier, healthy pet.
Not to mention eliminating the potential added expense of feeding and caring for a litter of unwanted puppies.
A local Rescue Group, CARE, is offering a one-time price of $10 to spay and neuter any dog 40 pounds and over, or $20 for any cat, kitten or dog less than 40 pounds.
Puppies and kittens must be 8 weeks old with puppies weighing a minimum of 2 pounds.
For more information, go to care.rescuegroup.org or call 546-5550.
If you love your pet, please call or register online.
Petco Funds Received -- Friday June 30th, 2006
CARE given grant
Staff Reports
Columbus’ Community Animal Rescue Group is one of about 1,000 animal welfare organizations to receive a grant from the Petco Foundation.
CARE received $400 from the foundation’s annual Spring A Pet fundraiser. The donations received at Columbus’ Petco store off National Road will provide assistance with medical costs and spaying and neutering pets to residents in need.
Since January, CARE has sent more than 250 animals to the Pets Alive Spay/Neuter Clinic in Bloomington.
The organization is hosting its next adoption event July 8 at Talbot’s off Jonathan Moore Pike.
Activities will include a professional pet photographer.
Information: care.rescuegroups.org.
Bob Barker / TSF Grants -- Thursday April 13th, 2006
Celebrity foundations award grants to CARE
By Kelsey VanArsdall
The Republic - Reporter
An animal rescue organization has received much-needed monetary boosts from two celebrity foundations.
Bob Barker’s DJ&T Foundation awarded $5,000 to Community Animal Rescue Effort of Bartholomew County, Monday to help low-income families with spaying and neutering their pets.
The host of “The Price is Right†is known for ending each show with a plea that viewers spay or neuter their cats and dogs.
“The number of animals mistreated and destroyed every day compelled him to start the foundation in 1995,†said CARE Vice President Kelly Glick.
DJ&T Foundation money goes toward grassroots organizations in areas in need of assistance.
“Bartholomew is one of those areas,†said Glick.
“And CARE is committed to helping reduce the number of unwanted animals around here.â€
Glick said the organization will use the grant to boost Bartholomew programs first and then possibly extend to neighboring counties.
CARE representatives said the organization would use the money to assist its monthly registration-only spay and neuter clinics.
Pets Alive Spay and Neuter Clinic in Bloomington has a community outreach program to transport the animals for low-cost procedures.
Surgeries run $50 for dogs, $45 for female cats and $25 for male cats.
The animal rescue group also received $500 from Tony Stewart Foundation to care for animals with emergency medical needs.
“This money will help treat animals that would otherwise die if not helped,†said CARE President Elaine Declue.
“Animals hit by cars, dogs with heartworms, cats or dogs suffering from neglect and many other maladies.â€
CARE started about two years ago. The organization fosters about 30 pets each month and holds monthly adoption programs at Petco, off U.S. 31.
The group’s next spay and neuter clinic runs April 25 and 26. Signup is available from 5 to 7 p.m. April 19 at Petco.
Information: 546-5550.
Too Many Thru Shelters -- Tuesday February 14th, 2006
Thousands of animals pass through shelters
By Kelsey VanArsdall
The Republic - Reporter
They wait.
They wait to be noticed. They wait for someone to care for them. They wait to find a home.
Sometimes they wait to die.
Tails wag and paws press against cage doors, and as much as they can, they try to communicate “pick me, pick me†as visitors pass.
Bartholomew County’s unwanted-pet population garners a little extra attention during February, National Pet Overpopulation and Pet Spay and Neuter Month, but that attention never dies for those who make these animals their life.
More than 2,000 dogs and cats pass through the doors of the Columbus Animal Control Shelter in a year and more than 1,000 see the confines of the Bartholomew County Humane Society.
The city shelter keeps strays for at least a week and if original owners cannot be located, the animals go up for adoption. After that, it’s up to time, space and the dog’s or cat’s health.
“If we’ve got space to keep them, we’ll keep them as long as we can, depending on how they do with shelter life,†said Kevin Konetzka, animal control manager.
“We’re still euthanizing way too many (dogs and cats). But then, one is too many, isn’t it?â€
The shelter euthanized 1,299 cats and dogs in 2005 and 1,210 in 2004.
At the shelter, 29 percent of dogs and 12 percent of cats that were brought in as strays were adopted; about 70 percent of dogs and 88 percent of cats were euthanized.
“We’re putting down a lot more cats than dogs,†said Konetzka.
“Cats are the No. 1 pets right now, but people think of them as just something you have around so they don’t get them spayed or neutered and they may not care for them properly.â€
The Humane Society euthanized 413, with 49 percent of dogs and cats being adopted.
“We’ve made a commitment that we do not euthanize animals anymore simply to make room,†said Jane Irwin, Humane Society manager.
“We try to work with rescue groups and foster homes.
“Well only euthanize if the animal is severely injured or has temperament problems.â€
Irwin said the percentage of euthanized animals at the Humane Society is under control.
“Sure, the actual numbers have gone up, but that’s natural. As the population goes up, so does the animal population.â€
The addition of rescue and low-cost animal interest groups, such as the Columbus Community Animal Rescue Effort, the Pets Alive Clinic and Neuter Scooter has increased community awareness and outreach, but owners can make the most difference.
“Having your pet spayed or neutered is essential,†said Konetzka.
He said many residents aren’t aware or choose to disregard the rules and regulations on pet care within the city limits.
“There are laws about keeping your pet on your property, and there are laws against leaving animals out that are in heat,†said Konetzka.
The laws are complaint based and control officers enforce the violations by first issuing warnings, then evoking fines and finally impounding pets if necessary.
“The tickets start at $10 for violations that deal with pet- population issues and go up by $10 increments,†Konetzka said.
Fines for animal cruelty run significantly higher.
Konetzka said the $10 violation fee was raised from $5 a few years ago.
“We thought we’d see a relinquishment in the number of strays and unwanted litters, but we didn’t,†he said.
“I mean, do we raise it again? What’s appropriate?â€
Winter Hard for Pets -- Saturday December 17th, 2005
Pets need special care in winter
By Kelsey VanArsdall
The Republic - Reporter
Jazzy poised gracefully on the table as the students, fidgeting in their seats, fixed their wide eyes upon her.
She surveyed the crowed of admirers who oohed and awed at her small frame, covered in a black cashmere sweater with rhinestone accents for the holiday season.
The mix-breed dog served as a poster girl Wednesday for pet care demonstrations presented by Community Animal Rescue Effort at Southside Elementary School.
“Small dogs like this have very short fur so they get cold really easily in the winter,†said Elaine DeClue of CARE.
“If you have a dog like this it’s good to have a sweater or jacket for them to wear when they’re outside.â€
DeClue, Jazzy’s adoptive mom, and other CARE volunteers paired with two representatives from the Columbus City Shelter, brought the animals to educate the students about caring for pets during the winter.
“They’ll see about 800 kids move through,†said Southside teaching assistant Angie Buxton.
According to Buxton, Southside Principal Joel Metzler rescued a greyhound and likes to invite animal care and rescue groups to the school on a regular basis.
“It’s an on-going thing,†said Buxton.
“We have different groups come in throughout the year.
“(Metzler) just loves animals, and of course they’re a big hit with the kids.â€
About seven classes of students rotated in 10-minute intervals through the demonstrations.
“I have a St. Bernard,†said 9-year-old Dylan Prather.
“I learned that I have to break up the ice and wipe it off of his toes so it doesn’t freeze and hurt him when he comes inside.â€
CARE also taught the students about increasing their pets food intake during the winter months and making sure pets aren’t left in cold cars during holiday shopping and errand trips.
CARE works with the city shelter to foster and adopt-out homeless animals in Bartholomew County.
Since its inception, the organization has found homes for more than 400 animals.
Home 4 the Holidays 2005 -- Sunday November 13th, 2005
9 cats, 1 dog find homes in time for holiday season
By Kelsey VanArsdall
The Republic
Three girls huddled around the green-bandana clad black lab mix, each receiving slobbery kisses as the dog waddled between them.
“Mom, pleeease, can we get him?â€
“Yeah, come on mom, look, he’s so sweet,†they pleaded.
Under sunny skies and a steady breeze, eight other canines and about 20 felines hoped, like the lab Shadow, to find a new home and a person to love them permanently.
Community Animal Rescue Effort hosted the first adoption event for its winter program Home 4 the Holidays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Petco.
“Really our mission is to reduce the number of homeless animals in the county,†said CARE volunteer Kelly DeClue.
“We also promote spaying and neutering and assist people with that if they can’t afford it.â€
CARE started hosting monthly adoption events in May 2004.
“Since then, we’ve adopted out over 400 animals,†said DeClue.
“It’s also helped reduce animal euthanasia drastically.â€
Dogs sold for $90, kittens for $80 and cats for $25.
“We want to promote adoption rather than buying an animal from a pet store,†said CARE volunteer Elaine DeClue.
All adoptions included a spay or neuter, medical checks and a new pet pack with dry and wet food samples, coupons ad a tip booklet.
“That’s what makes the Home 4 the Holidays program different. The animals go home with the starter pack, sponsored by Iams,†said DeClue.
While waiting for new owners, animals found by CARE stay in foster homes.
“That’s the hard part is becoming attached,†said CARE volunteer Mary Ann Taylor, who’s been fostering Shadow for a few months.
“You start to get picky about the homes they might go to.
“You want them to get the very best.â€
CARE also works with the city shelter, helping with animal overflow. The program maintains foster homes for about 30 animals.
Saturday’s event adopted out nine cats and one dog.
Donner Doggie Swim -- Monday August 15th, 2005
Donner goes to the dogs on final day
By John Clark
The Republic
Big dogs. Little dogs. Brown dogs. Red dogs. Tall dogs. Short dogs. Shaggy dogs. Short-haired dogs. All dogs swimming at a dog pool party. Donner Aquatic Center hosted about 100 pooches Sunday night, finishing the swimming season with a pool party and fund-raiser for Community Animal Rescue Effort’s spay and neuter program. The event raised about $300. The cost to spay or neuter a dog is about $40. Brian and Jennifer Morlok said their 5-year-old chocolate Labrador, Cadbury, enjoyed the chance to swim. “She loved it,†Jennifer Morlok said. Cadbury went into the water at least 30 times, as many times as she could in the 1½ hours the pool was open. The Morloks said they were hoping the event would be held next year, too. Major, an 8-month-old shepherd/Labrador mix owned by Brenda Burton, had his first swim at the event. “He only got in once, he was all excited, he has never been out like this,†Burton said. “I have always wanted to take him swimming, but I’m afraid of rivers and creeks and I thought this would be safe. I thought it was really neat that they did this.†Kie Pennington said the family’s 1-year-old schnauzer, Remix, did not enjoy the water at his first swimming party. She, Jane and Katie Pennington had to keep pushing him into the water. “But he liked the snack afterwards,†Jane Pennington said. “He liked seeing the other dogs,†Katie said. Marla Page, a pool manager at Donner, said there were about 40 dogs pre-registered for the first-ever event but another 60 or so showed up anyway. Elaine DeClue, president of the CARE board, said the success of the event shows the community need for a dog park, she said.
Petfinder.com -- Monday June 13th, 2005
Petfinder.com helps agencies match pets with adopting families
By Marla Miller
The Republic
Amanda and Dave Newlin of Nashville can vouch for the effectiveness of petfinder.com’s user-friendly site. The Newlins were looking for only one pet when Amanda logged on and started searching for animals. Now they have three new cats: Bootsy, Harrison and Willow. Petfinder.com is a virtual animal shelter, where people can search for rescued and homeless pets. The Web site recently hit a milestone in Indiana, reporting more than 200 Indiana animal-placement groups are posting their adoptable pets online. Bartholomew County’s animal welfare organizations, Columbus Animal Control Shelter, Bartholomew County Humane Society and Community Animal Rescue Effort, take advantage of Petfinder’s free services and rely on it to place animals. “You kind of get an overall idea of what animals are available,†Amanda said. “It really helps narrow down your search so you’re not on a wild-goose chase. I just looked online on my own time instead of running from shelter to shelter or looking at ads in the paper.†Petfinder.com, founded in 1996, has two goals: l To increase public awareness of the availability of high-quality adoptable pets using Internet technology. l To increase the overall effectiveness of pet-adoption programs across North America so euthanasia of adoptable pets is eliminated. Prospective adopters can search by breed or ZIP code and see pictures before making a trip to meet the animal. They can reference a shelter or rescue group’s Web page and discover what services it offers. The Petfinder site includes classified ads, discussion forums and a library of animal- welfare articles. It is updated daily at no cost to nonprofit shelter and rescue group members and free for the public. “Each individual organization maintains their own site up to a point, but they have great tech support,†said Jane Irwin, humane society manager. “The response is amazing. A lot of individuals monitor it. Another good thing is a lot of rescue groups will watch it. There are all kinds of people out there using it.†Searches can be done on a local, regional or national level. Each pet has its own Pet Notes page with a photo and description. Adoptions are handled by the organization fostering or housing the animal. “Say you want a poodle, all you have to do is type in poodle and put in your Zip code,†said Elaine DeClue, a CARE member. “It will start with the shelter or rescue closest to your Zip code.†People simply looking for a pet, with no specific breed in mind, can search by type, size, age or sex, Irwin said. The humane society and CARE, working with pure-breed rescues and transport groups, have adopted animals to people who live several states away. The Newlins adopted Bootsy through CARE and learned a family found the cat on the Bartholomew County 4 –H Fairgrounds last July 4. Amanda wanted a friendly and gentle cat that would play with her two young children. “She (DeClue) really worked with us,†Amanda said. “We had looked at another one and even met with it but it wasn’t a good fit for the kids. That one-on-one interaction really helps. You don’t know what you are getting at the pet store.†The Newlins also found Harrison and Willow posted through Brown County Humane Society and, after visiting them at the shelter, adopted them in February. “They want you to interact with the animals before you take them home,†she said. “It also feels good to know you’re doing something good, that this animal doesn’t have a home. “I’ve had animals all my life and this is the most positive experience I’ve had finding an animal.†Petfinder spotlights about 160,000 homeless pets from more than 8,000 animal-placement groups in the United States, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Canada. In 2004, members said the site was responsible for more than 1.5 million adoptions, according to Kim Saunders of petfinder.com. Besides dogs and cats, the site features rabbits, guinea pigs and other small furry animals, birds, barnyard pets, horses, fish and reptiles. “We were impressed when the state reached the 100 mark, so we’re really thrilled to reach this new level,†said Betsy Saul, petfinder.com’s president. “We’ve experienced phenomenal growth in Indiana, which is good for the homeless pets in the state.†DeClue credits 75 percent of CARE’s adoptions to petfinder. The group’s animals were viewed more than 2,300 times the last week in May. “It’s hard for people to come out and see the dogs and cats,†she said. “There also are a lot of stigmas with shelters. People just don’t want to go there.†Irwin also praises the site and said shelters throughout south central Indiana have animals posted on it. “I know it is responsible for increasing ours and many others adoption rates,†she said. “It’s absolutely huge. It’s a great, great program.â€
Puppy Mills & Pet Stores -- Thursday January 27th, 2005
Pet store unclean, bad for puppies
From: Elaine DeClue, Columbus
Received: Jan. 27
Why would anyone buy a dog from a pet store? Today, a friend and I were kicked out of a local pet store for asking about the health of a puppy. My friend had been there the previous day and was so concerned about this puppy that he called Columbus Animal Control. Animal Control went to the store, saw the puppy and told the owner to take it to a vet. Therefore, asking about the health of this puppy was the right thing to do. Well, the owner grabbed the puppy out of my arms and ordered us to leave the store. This store was filthy and smelled terrible. The majority of the employees appeared to be teenagers. My hope is that they are not part of a school program. One of these teenagers asked me to wait in a visitation room, and they would bring me the puppy. The floor of said room was covered in dog feces. I asked that they clean the floor before I stepped in there and before the puppy was brought in. Trust me, the candle that was lit in there did nothing to hide the smell. So, I ask again, why would anyone buy a dog from a pet store? Why would anyone pay hundreds of dollars for a puppy from a puppy mill? I ask everyone to find a computer and type in “puppy mills.†What you find will shock you. We should be educated consumers, not just consumers. What if you must have a purebred dog? Go to and type in the breed you are looking for, then call or e-mail the rescue shelter that is trying to help that dog. Wouldn’t you rather save the life of a dog than perpetuate the life of misery that a puppy mill dog is living? Ask the local pet stores where their puppies come from The last time I asked, they came on a semitrailer from Tennessee. Be smart, be compassionate and don’t buy a dog from a pet store. I welcome Petco to our community, and I welcome their “adoptions-first†philosophy.
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