Who do I contact about a County Animal Shelter Violation in North Carolina

Have you seen a violation towards the animals in a County Shelter and you didn’t know who to contact? In NC the Dept. of Agriculture overseas our County Animal Shelters. Here's a list by County, however you can call the main office in Raleigh to notify them of your complaint or what you are concerned about. If you don’t make the call, who will? These animals need your voice when abuse is thrust upon them, they can’t speak for themselves.  Email AGR.AWS@ncagr.gov or Call Phone: (919) 733-7601; FAX: (919) 733-2277

Euthanasia Guidelines: The Gas Chamber Debate

It took way to long but FINALLY it's here. The new AVMA's statement on gas chambers, they are no longer being listed as acceptable ( due to conditions) to kill our companion animals. So NC remove your 13 Gas Chambers that still are in operation in 2013.

 

http://atwork.avma.org/2013/02/26/euthanasia-guidelines-the-gas-chamber-debate/

Euthanasia Guidelines: The Gas Chamber Debate

 

February 26, 2013 | Dr. Gail Golab

Now that the 2013 edition of the AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals has been issued, the debate over the use of gas chambers for euthanasia of unwanted dogs and cats in animal shelters is likely to take center stage once again.

 

In previous editions of the guidelines, the use of carbon monoxide (CO) or carbon dioxide (CO2) gas was considered ‘acceptable’ for euthanasia of dogs and cats. In the 2013 Guidelines, the classification for use of these gases has been changed to ‘acceptable with conditions’.  Techniques that are ‘acceptable with conditions’ may have greater potential for operator error or safety hazard, are not well documented in the scientific literature, or may require a secondary method to ensure death.  The use of these techniques requires that specific conditions be met to ensure that death is achieved in a humane way. When ALL of the conditions are met, ‘acceptable with conditions’ methods are equivalent to ‘acceptable’ methods. And, if all conditions are not met, they are not considered ‘acceptable.’

This means that the use of CO or CO2 for euthanasia of dogs and cats is ONLY considered acceptable when ALL of the following criteria are met. For more details, consult the full Guidelines.

 1.Personnel must be instructed thoroughly in the gas’s use and must understand its hazards and limitations;

 2.The gas source and chamber must be located in a well-ventilated environment, preferably out-of-doors;

 3.The gas must be supplied in a precisely regulated and purified form without contaminants or adulterants, typically from a commercially supplied cylinder or tank;

 4.The gas flow rate must allow operators to achieve known and appropriate gas concentrations within the recommended time;

 5.The chamber must be of the highest-quality construction and should allow for separation of individual animals. If animals need to be combined, they should be of the same species, and, if needed, restrained or separated so that they will not hurt themselves or others. Chambers should not be overloaded and need to be kept clean to minimize odors that might distress animals that are subsequently euthanized;

 6.The chamber must be well lighted and must allow personnel to directly observe the animals;

 7.If the chamber is inside a room, monitors must be placed in the room to warn personnel of hazardous concentrations of gas; and

 8.It is essential that the gas and the chamber be used in compliance with state and federal occupational health and safety regulations.

In the 2013 Guidelines, euthanasia by intravenous injection of an approved euthanasia agent remains the preferred method for euthanasia of dogs, cats, and other small companion animals. Gas chambers are not recommended for routine euthanasia of cats and dogs in shelters and animal control operations. The guidelines state that “alternate methods with fewer conditions and disadvantages are recommended for companion animals where feasible.”

We understand that some people believe these chambers should be banned for use for dogs and cats. Unfortunately, there are still shelters and animal control operations that do not have access to controlled substances and/or the personnel authorized by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to administer them.  This limits these facilities’ options for euthanizing animals. If your local shelter or animal control operation uses a gas chamber to euthanize dogs and cats and you strongly believe its use should be discontinued, we recommend you work with the facility to develop a realistic plan to phase out the use of the chamber. Reducing the population of unwanted animals reduces the number of animals that may need to be euthanized, so efforts to reduce pet relinquishments and increase adoptions are the best long-term solutions.

 

All Natural Dog Treats and made in the USA

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North Carolina Kills on Thanksgiving Week

A Shelter Pet’s reality during a Holiday week in NC. Most County Animal Shelters will close for of a total 4 days this week, which means Wed, Nov 21, 2012 many NC Shelters will KILL every animal in their facility. Why? As the staff does NOT want to come in to feed & water or clean their kennels. Welcome to North Carolina where you better pray you never lose your pet close to a Holiday as the 72 hrs. rule doesn’t seem to apply.  See how many dirty little secrets we hold in our Country Animals Shelters in NC, is this the state you want to move to, drive thru, give them your money or even come for a Holiday at? BTW, NC still believes in GASSING their animals to death, so hold tight to your little one while at the rest stop, the last place to want to misplace your family pet is North Carolina !!  We are a High Kill State, where about 14 of our Counties still refuse to report their kill numbers and more than 65% of them do NOT have a microchip scanner to even try to reunite these lost pets with their family before they shove them into a Gas Chamber. Again Welcome to North Carolina, where we put laws on the books that are unenforceable due to we place them under the wrong department. Example GS_130A-192. Looks wonderful on paper but it’s unenforceable as it was placed under the incorrect dept. which is regulatory and hold no enforceable power. Thank you Floyd McKissick Jr (Demo no less). For refusing to ever return a phone call or email on your own bill and correct your mistake that cost so many animals their lives every day. 
 http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/gascripts/members/viewMember.pl?sChamber=Senate&nUserID=228

Rabies & Mico-Chip Clinic in Winston Salem NC November 10, 2012

North Carolina Department of Agriculture County Animal Shelters Inspectors list by County

This will aid you to get in touch with the correct State Inspector of our County Animal Shelters by County.

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture directly over seas our County Shelters. Click on the link below to search by County Shelter Inspection, Report, Warning Letters and Fines.

http://www.ncagr.gov/vet/aws/

Duplin County Animal Shelter fails State Inspection yet again Oct 25,2012

What does it take to understand that if you work in an Animal Shelter and you go by a kennel with an animal inside a cage and they have no water, you stop what you are doing and you give it water. Why would anyone need to have it in writting that you MUST GIVE WATER TO CAGED ANIMALS? If this is your staff then you need to fire and re-hire people with compassion and people who can think on their feet.

Duplin County Animal Shelter and Staff you are a disgrace, your excuse that you are doing the best that you can is a poor answer. Anyone who leaves animals with no water or a water bowl so high puppies cant reach it, feeds puppies & kittens hard food when their teeth are not developed yet to chew it, to allow animals no care over a weekend, well there is no excuse for this.

Revamp Duplin County Animal Shelter, get a new staff that has compassion and understands that caged aniamls need water and food. My heart breaks for these caged animals.

 

 

SomnaSol being used in some NC Animal County Shelters improperly to kill cat's.

ONLY USE ON CANINE

SomnaSol

This page contains information on SomnaSol for veterinary use.
The information provided typically includes the following:

·       SomnaSol Indications

·       Warnings and cautions for SomnaSol

·       Direction and dosage information for SomnaSol

Somnasol

This treatment applies to the following species:

·       Dogs

Manufacturer: Butler Schein™ Animal Health

Euthanasia Solution

For Dogs Only

For Intravenous Or Intracardiac Use.

Each mL contains: active ingredients: 390 mg pentobarbital sodium (barbituric acid derivative), 50 mg phenytoin sodium; inactive ingredients: 10% ethyl alcohol, 18% propylene glycol, 0.003688 mg rhodamine B, 2% benzyl alcohol (preservative), water for injection q.s. Sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid may be added to adjust pH.

Product Indications

SomnaSol is indicated for the humane euthanasia of dogs.

Description/indications

SomnaSol is a non sterile injectable solution labeled for the humane euthanasia of dogs.

SomnaSol Dosage And Administration

Use 1 ml per 10 pounds of body weight. IV injection is preferred but intracardiac administration can be used when IV application is impractical.

SomnaSol Caution

Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.

Caution should be exercised to avoid contact of the drug with open wounds or accidental self-inflicted injections. Keep out of reach of children.

Euthanasia may sometimes be delayed in dogs with severe cardiac or circulatory problems.

Warning: For canine euthanasia only.

Must not be used for therapeutic purposes.

Do not use on animals intended for food.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD: This product is toxic to wildlife. Birds and mammals feeding on treated animals may be killed. Euthanized animals must be disposed of properly by deep burial, incineration, or other method in compliance with state and local laws, to prevent consumption of carcass material by scavenging wildlife.

Use of Luer-Lock syringe is recommended to prevent separation. The calculated dose should be given as a single bolused injection.

Manufactured by an non-sterilizing process.

Store between 15° and 30°C (59° and 86°F).

100 mL Multiple Dose Vial

Manufactured For: Butler Animal Health Supply, Dublin, Ohio 43017

Nac No.

10822362

BUTLER SCHEIN™ ANIMAL HEALTH
A Henry Schein Company
400 METRO PLACE NORTH, DUBLIN, OH, 43017-7545

Telephone:

614-761-9095

Fun Facts about NC

State Bird: Cardinal

State Tree: Pine

State Flower: Dogwood Blossom

State Mammal: Gray Squirrel

State Dog: Plott Hound

State Insect: Honey Bee

State Shell: Scotch Bonnet

State Saltwater Fish: Channel Bass

State Precious Stone: Emerald

State Beverage: Milk

State Rock: Granite

State Reptile: Eastern Box Turtle

State Historic Boat: Shad Boat

 

 

Pennsylvania House Bans Gas Chambers

Pennsylvania House Bans Gas Chambers

Latest news on PA, it seems the senate after the 3rd time has now passed a Gassing Ban on Shelter Animals, now that's left is for the Governor to sign off. Will we see PA become the 20th State to ban Gas Chambers for unwanted and homeless animals? Will NC be the last state to ban Gas Chambers due to their close relationship with Dr. Hauser? Why would any state want to Gas an animal to death after knowing what we know now?

http://www.northcountrygazette.org/2012/10/02/chamber_ban/

 

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has applauded the Pennsylvania House for voting to pass House Bill 2630, which would ban the use of carbon monoxide chambers at animal shelters, and allow shelter personnel to procure the drugs necessary to euthanize animals in a humane manner.

 

The bill, sponsored by Rep. John Maher, R-Allegheny, passed 189 to 6, and now moves to the Pennsylvania Senate.

 

 Current Pennsylvania law makes it difficult for animal shelters to procure the drugs needed to euthanize animals humanely, because the drugs can only be licensed to veterinarians, leaving the animals to suffer more painful and gruesome options such as gas chambers. The new legislation, HB 2630, bans gas chambers and also provides meaningful access to sodium pentobarbital to help ensure that when animals must be euthanized in shelters across the Commonwealth it is done as humanely as possible.  It also imposes penalties for violations of the act.

 

“The swift passage of HB 2630 means the tragic euthanasia of cats and dogs by gas chambers in Pennsylvania will soon come to an end,” said Rep. Maher immediately after passage. “I’m excited by the overwhelming passage in the House and hopeful for quick Senate action.”

 

On Wednesday (Oct. 3) , the Pennsylvania House is expected to take up the Costs of Care of Seized Animals Act, HB 2409, a bill stating that owners have a financial obligation for the care for their pets. In addition, owners will be held responsible for costs of care if their animals are seized for cruelty or neglect. By shifting the burden for the cost of care from an investigating agency to the alleged abuser, the act will encourage the vigorous investigation and enforcement of animal cruelty and reduce the financial costs to local taxpayers.

 

Facts:

 

The few animal shelters inPennsylvaniawhich use out of date carbon monoxide chambers as a method of euthanasia do so because they have no access to a veterinarian to provide the necessary euthanasia drugs. HB 2630 will allow shelters across the Commonwealth the ability to procure euthanasia drugs themselves, at a lower cost – both practically and emotionally – over operating a carbon monoxide chamber.

 

The animals euthanized in shelters are often old, young, ill or injured; none of these animals can be humanely euthanized in a gas chamber. Even healthy adult dogs and cats will suffer stress just by being placed in a gas chamber, making their death inhumane.

 

Gas chambers pose great physical and psychological harm to staff. Staff must handle, transport and place animals into the chamber, putting them at risk of bites and scratches. Animal care workers have also been injured and killed by carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless and tasteless toxic gas.

 

Studies have proven that it is more expensive to operate a gas chamber than it is to purchase and use euthanasia drugs.

 

For more information on animal welfare legislation in Pennsylvania, please visit humanesociety.org/pennsylvania.

Where will 250 animals go now as a County Shelter Closes?

Humane Society votes to close shelter

by Mallory Brown and Dawn M. KurryRichmond County Daily Journal

25 days ago | 22918 views | 11 | 28 | |

Valerie Davis

slideshow

Kenneth Robinette

slideshow

Thad Ussery

slideshow

Time is running out for the Humane Society of Richmond County’s local animal shelter.
In a meeting on Thursday, the Humane Society board voted unanimously to cease shelter operations as of Oct. 31, 2012, according to Director Valerie Davis.
Davis said the decision is due to a lack of funding.
“A couple of months back, I began presenting to the board,” she said. “I kept telling them that it’s really bad. We’ve been running about a $35,000 deficit for over a year. We need to start making some decisions.”
According to Davis, shelter maintenance requires approximately $26,000 a month, and expenses have been piling up.
The Humane Society of Richmond County formed in 1981 as a small cat shelter, she said. In 1999, the officers of the Humane Society approached the county government and proposed the county aid them in operating a shelter. In 2002, doors opened to the new animal shelter located at 529 U.S. Highway 74 West Business, in Rockingham.
“For the last ten years, it has hung in there,” Davis said on Friday. “But there have always been budget constraints and tough times … In our contract, if we can’t function and operate the shelter on the funds we get, it reverts back to the county.
“Last night I asked the board, as a group, to please make a decision tonight. I asked them if they were going to pull out, because, as the director, not only am I going to be unemployed, but I have 11 other employees. I need to start making provisions,” said Davis.
Humane Society Board Chair Evonne Swanson confirmed on Friday that a vote had been taken.
“We have voted as a board that we will not operate in that shelter and continue the contract with the county,” Swanson said. “We won’t be there unless the county assists us in some way … We cannot continue as we have been. There has to be a change.”
Swanson said the shelter can still continue just as it is, but it becomes the county’s responsibility.
Although Davis and Swanson both said Friday that the Humane Society’s plans to withdraw from the shelter had been finalized, a letter from Humane Society Attorney Kelly G. Williams of Deane, Williams & Deane to county officials hints at other options.
The letter to county officials reads, “It has become painfully obvious to the Humane Society of Richmond County, Inc. that it can no longer operate its animal shelter under the current income/expense projections for 2012 through 2013.”
However, toward the end of the letter, Williams wrote, “Time is of the essence for the Humane Society to restructure its income base. If the Society has not received firm commitments from the local governments by October 31, 2012, it will be forced to close its shelter and dissolve its corporation.”
According to the letter, the shelter could stay open with monetary contributions from local municipalities each month. Proposed allocations include $300 from Dobbins Heights, $500 from the Town of Ellerbe, $800 from the City of Hamlet, $250 from the Town of Hoffman, $100 from the Town of Norman, $1,000 from the City of Rockingham and $22,000 from Richmond County. Those figures are based on the number of animals that the Humane Society received from the city limits of each city or town and within Richmond County, the letter said. Municipalities could opt to be billed monthly per animal, each of which would cost $76.50, according the letter. It goes on to list the average number of animals received from each jurisdiction per year, for example 150 from Rockingham.
The letter also reads: “After careful review of past income/expense reports and the projected income/expense report for 2012-2013, the Humane Society estimates a deficit of $53,000.00. Currently, the Humane Society has a deficit of $44,000.00 from Fiscal Year 2011-2012.”
Richmond County Board of Commissioners Chairman Kenneth Robinette said Friday that if the county has to take over the shelter, it would do so.
“Our staff has been monitoring this over the last few weeks and has offered ideas and suggestions to the Humane Society,” said Robinette. “I understand they have sent a letter, which I have not yet seen. If the county takes over the shelter, I promise we’ll run it as efficiently and effectively as we can.”
Robinette also said, “The board will continue to support the Humane Society.”
County Commissioner Thad Ussery said, “I really hate to hear this, but we were trying to help them through their budget crunch. But if they won’t take advice, I don’t know what else they can do. If they give it up, we will have to take it over and run it more efficiently. There are some things that could be changed.”
“There are so many people in the community who have supported us for so long, that have a right to know what’s going on,” Davis said. “We want the community to know that the Humane Society isn’t going to cease to exist. We’re still an organization — we’re just not going to be operating the animal shelter.”
Due to its Oct. 31 closing date, Davis said the animal shelter is working to find a home for all 250 of its animals.
“We’re taking it week by week now,” she said. “We’re going to encourage folks to come and pull — to rescue. We probably will waive adoption fees. We’ve got extra dog houses and transport kennels that were donated to us, and I’m going to donate those with the dogs.”
Davis said the shelter will also adopt new shortened hours, and will be closed to the public on Sunday through Tuesday. It will remain open on Wednesday through Saturday from 12 to 3 p.m.
— Staff Writer Dawn M. Kurry can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 15, or by email at dkurry@heartlandpublications.com. Staff Writer Mallory Brown can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 16, or by email at mallorybrown@heartlandpublications.com.

Read more: Richmond County Daily Journal - Humane Society votes to close shelter

Nature's Recipe Oven Baked Biscuits Recall

 

Recall -- Firm Press Release

FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

Nature's Recipe Voluntarily Recalls Nature's Recipe Oven Baked Biscuits With Real Chicken Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination

Contact:
Consumer:
800-237-3856

Media:
Chrissy Trampedach
Del Monte Foods
Chrissy.trampedach@delmonte.com
415-247-3268

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 13, 2012 - Nature’s Recipe brand is voluntarily recalling a limited supply of Nature’s Recipe® Oven Baked Biscuits with Real Chicken, manufactured in one of its U.S. production facilities. This is being done as a precautionary measure, as the product has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some, or all, of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected, but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

No pet or consumer illnesses from this product have been reported to date. However, because of its commitment to safety and quality, the Company is conducting a voluntary recall of this product.

The potentially affected lots of Nature’s Recipe Oven Baked Biscuits with Real Chicken were distributed nationally, primarily through pet specialty retailers.

Nature’s Recipe Oven Baked Biscuits with Real Chicken is sold in 19-ounce stand-up resealable pouches. The product affected by this recall is identified below and has the following "Best If Used By" dates:

Lot Code:	UPC Code:	Size:	Product Name/Description:	Best If Used By Date:
2199TP	30521 51549	19-ounces	Nature’s Recipe Oven Baked Biscuits with Real Chicken	10 11 13
2200TP	30521 51549	19-ounces	Nature’s Recipe Oven Baked Biscuits with Real Chicken	10 12 13

Product and product lots that do not appear on the list above are not subject to this recall.
Consumers who have purchased the above lots of Nature’s Recipe Oven Baked Biscuits with Real Chicken should stop feeding the product and discard immediately. For further information about the recall and for instructions on obtaining replacement product, consumers can use the Contact Us form at www.naturesrecipe.com¹ or call the Consumer Hotline, 24 hours a day, at 800-237-3856.

About Nature’s Recipe® Nature’s Recipe®, a brand of Del Monte Foods, markets a complete line of natural dog food and treats and recently introduced a line of natural cat food. Nature’s Recipe® has been making better pet food where “Every Ingredient Counts® ” for more than 30 years. For additional information about Nature’s Recipe®, visit www.naturesrecipe.com².

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Has Horse Slaughter haulted for American Horses ?

Press Release: Poisoned Horse Meat Impacts American Horse Slaughter Industry

by Lisa Drahorad on Monday, October 15, 2012 at 12:13pm ·

Poisoned Horse Meat Impacts American Horse Slaughter Industry

The news started trickling in on Friday with rumors of trucks filled with hundreds of horses bound for slaughter being turned away at the plants in Canada and Mexico. As equine advocates struggled to separate fact from fiction regarding this important turn of events for America’s horses, it appears that poisonous drugs found in the meat have forced the EU and the slaughter plants to finally make a stand and cease all slaughter of American horses. The EU is expected to make a statement on Monday, October 15.

American horsemeat contains hazardous carcinogens and other drugs like Phenylbutazone (Bute). Drugs that are clearly marked “Not intended for animals used for human consumption” but are commonly given to horses throughout their lives as they serve as working and companion animals to the American people. Despite these warnings, 1% of the total American horse populations, approximately 134,000 horses have been sent to slaughter every year. These numbers have remained constant and steady even with the closing of the last American slaughter plant in 2007.

"We all knew this was coming and have warned of it for years, yet the suddenness caught all by complete surprise. The EID (Equine Information Document) was the last chance for the horse slaughter industry and its agents to show they could be trusted to assure the safety of the horse meat that is their stock and trade. But their long history of flaunting environmental, transport, humane and other regulations made it inevitable that they would treat the drug residue issue as a joke. True to form, they are already blaming "animal rights" radicals." ~ John Holland, President of Equine Welfare Alliance

Congress has ignored the voice of 80% of Americans against slaughter but this decision by the EU could mean there is hope for our horses and could truly be the end of slaughter. With the option of slaughter being taken away, there would be hope that horse values will increase as mass breeding stops. The BLM would have to come up with another plan for the 45,000 wild mustangs currently in holding pens. People would no longer fear horse auctions as a place to sell their horses. Private auction bidders would no longer be outbid by kill buyers looking for horses to fill their load. Horse industry revenues would go up everywhere as a live horse provides more dollars to the economy over a slaughtered one.

We are estimating upwards of 5,000 horses are currently “lost” in the slaughter pipeline while agencies figure out next steps. It has become increasingly obvious that rescue organizations and individuals need to muster up and be ready for a call to action to help the horses that are now in this, albeit possibly temporary defunct slaughter pipeline.

For more information or if you can help the horses stuck in the slaughter pipeline, please contact Another Chance 4 Horses, www.ac4h.com, Christy Sheidy, Christy@ac4h.com 484-824-4904 or Lisa Drahorad, rovergrl@hotmail.com 856-287-4518.

Lisa Drahorad, Event Coordinator Another Chance 4 Horses
www.AC4H.com

No more Gas Chamber for Shelter Animals in Person County NC

As reported by the Courier Times Oct 12, 2012. Person County has stopped using the Gas Chamber and switched to 100 percent lethal injection for euthanasia cases. Way to go Person County but my question is why is any North Carolina County Animal Shelter using a Gas Chamber as after all it's the right thing to do to pull all these chambers out. We dont have to have a law telling us to not kill our unwanted pets via a Gas Chamber, just have a heart and end this old school way of killing in all of North Carolina. What County will be next to end this barbaric way of killing and to do it freely by their choice? Have compassion when it comes to taking their lives, give them dignity and not shove them into a GAS CHAMBER to die in such a horrific death. Thank you Person County for taking a step forward in 2012..... who's next?

 

 

 

Top 10 Reasons to Spay or Neuter

Whether you’ve recently adopted a pet or you’re considering it, one of the most important health decisions you’ll make is to spay or neuter your cat or dog. Spaying—removing the ovaries and uterus of a female pet—is a veterinary procedure that requires minimal hospitalization and offers lifelong health benefits. Neutering—removing the testicles of your male dog or cat—will vastly improve your pet’s behavior and keep him close to home.
Many states and counties have established low-cost spay/neuter programs that make surgery easily affordable and accessible. To find a low-cost program near you, search our Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Provider Database. If you're in New York City, the ASPCA mobile spay/neuter clinic offers free or low-cost spay/neuter surgery for financially needy dog and cat owners with proof of public assistance. Please contact our hotline at (877) SPAY-NYC for a listing of dates and locations in all five boroughs.
Not convinced yet? Check out our handy—and persuasive—list of the top 10 reasons to spay or neuter your pet!

1. Your female pet will live a longer, healthier life. Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast cancer, which is fatal in about 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats. Spaying your pet before her first heat offers the best protection from these diseases.
2. Neutering provides major health benefits for your male. Besides preventing unwanted litters, neutering your male companion prevents testicular cancer, if done before six months of age.
3. Your spayed female won't go into heat. While cycles can vary, female felines usually go into heat four to five days every three weeks during breeding season. In an effort to advertise for mates, they'll yowl and urinate more frequently—sometimes all over the house!
4. Your male dog won't want to roam away from home. An intact male will do just about anything to find a mate! That includes digging his way under the fence and making like Houdini to escape from the house. And once he's free to roam, he risks injury in traffic and fights with other males.
5. Your neutered male will be much better behaved. Neutered cats and dogs focus their attention on their human families. On the other hand, unneutered dogs and cats may mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine all over the house. Many aggression problems can be avoided by early neutering.
6. Spaying or neutering will NOT make your pet fat. Don’t use that old excuse! Lack of exercise and overfeeding will cause your pet to pack on the extra pounds—not neutering. Your pet will remain fit and trim as long as you continue to provide exercise and monitor food intake.
7. It is highly cost-effective. The cost of your pet's spay/neuter surgery is a lot less than the cost of having and caring for a litter. It also beats the cost of treatment when your unneutered tom escapes and gets into fights with the neighborhood stray!
8. Spaying and neutering your pet is good for the community. Stray animals pose a real problem in many parts of the country. They can prey on wildlife, cause car accidents, damage the local fauna and frighten children. Spaying and neutering packs a powerful punch in reducing the number of animals on the streets.
9. Your pet doesn't need to have a litter for your children to learn about the miracle of birth. Letting your pet produce offspring you have no intention of keeping is not a good lesson for your children—especially when so many unwanted animals end up in shelters. There are tons of books and videos available to teach your children about birth in a more responsible way.
10. Spaying and neutering helps fight pet overpopulation. Every year, millions of cats and dogs of all ages and breeds are euthanized or suffer as strays. These high numbers are the result of unplanned litters that could have been prevented by spaying or neutering.

Orange County Low Cost Rabies Vaccination Clinic

 

Low-Cost Rabies Vaccination Clinics

 Saturday, Sep 29 10:00a

Orange County Animal Services Center, Chapel Hill

Orange County’s Animal Services Department is offering two low cost rabies vaccination clinics on Saturday 29th September from 10:00 am to 12:00 PM celebration of the 6th annual World Rabies Day.

Walk for Animal Protection in Mebane NC

Walk for Animal Protection (7th Annual)

Saturday, Oct 6 10:00a to 2:00p

 at Paws4Ever, Mebane, NC

 Bring the family--including the dogs! Join us for the 7th Annual Walk for Animal Protection at the Village Green in Southern Village to raise money for Paws4ever and the animals waiting to find their forever homes.

 10:00 am--2 pm

Activities, demonstrations, music, vendors and much more

Noon

2-mile fun walk led by a surprise Grand Marshall