Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Responsible Pet Ownership...




Meet "Bear", a loving and attentive Weimaraner/lab mix. Bear spent the weekend with us after we found him out on the highway. I really want to tell you the story but it's really long and not nice of me to publicly slam his owner, soooo....

Let me just take this opportunity to remind everyone of an ideal setup in kind and responsible pet ownership...
  • Microchips are fantastic and inexpensive - I think around $25 nowdays
  • A Collar that they can't get out of...
  • Some people worry that if the dog chain or cable gets bound up the pet could be strangled wearing a choke chain or a collar that isn't loose enough to get out of, but leaving them unattended on a chain while your not home is just not the safest of options. Leave them in the house, garage, kennel, or in a fenced in yard which are all safer options. They could still get out but not strangled, and they are protected from other stray/wild animals this way too. - and just to clarify I don't have anything against using a chain from time to time while pet owners are home because if a dog is in trouble they'll make enough noise for you to come to their aid.
  • Dog tags - with the dogs name and owners contact numbers should be on every dog, even with microchips, and even if they don't run away. It's better to be over cautious and they only cost around $5.00. You can get them made instantly at Walmart, Petzoo, Fred Meyers, or plenty of other stores selling pet supplies. (Bear was found after hours with only a license tag on. My only option was let him go, and possibly be hit - or bring him home for the night. Not everyone would have had the option to bring him home.)
  • Licensing tags - Required in the Mat-su Valley but not required in all boroughs or towns. Should be on their collar if ya have one.
  • Rabies tags - again, should be on the collar, not in the file box.
  • Dog Obedience classes - Your pet does NOT own you, YOU OWN IT! If your not able to control your animal don't give in. EVERY animal can be trained in the time you should already be spending with it. If you can't afford training, let me know and I'll send you some great stuff so you can get started at home.
  • Spay/Neuter your pets!!! I know it's expensive but if you can't afford it your not ready to own a pet yet.
We think of our pets as part of the family. We just don't think a dog should be allowed to roam as it pleases, ESPECIALLY one than isn't fixed; and life tied to a chain can be a lonely life.

Now go give your pet some luv...

5 comments:

Valette said...

Soo... did you find his owner?

MrsM said...

Yes, the owner finally got home Sunday night and we brought Bear over. He gave Bear a pat, took the leash and collar off of him that belonged to me, let Bear go, and Bear bolted yet again. My mother and I stood there with our mouths dropped.

He said he runs the neighborhood all the time. They live three houses from the main hwy and Bear isn't fixed. Apparently there are several litters from him through out the neighborhood.

I'm glad I went and had a tag made with his name and numbers. At least people can call and complain now.

It's a great dog with no training, I just hope he isn't hit or shot.

Soooooo Frustrating

Jenn said...

AMEN!! I agree with you completely! It gives me peace of mind to know that if I have a tag on my little dog, someone can call and let us know where she is, if she does get out!

Wendy said...

::::applause::::::

Tamira Ci Thayne said...

I agree! People think that we at Dogs Deserve Better want them running free since we work to get dogs off chains...but that is of course NOT the answer, and is very dangerous for the dog and also for other animals and possibly children/adults depending on the dogs propensity to bite.

We believe that dogs who live INSIDE the home with the family will be safest, better socialized, and keep our communities safer.

To get help with a chained dog in your neighborhood, please visit our site at http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org.

Thanks so much for helping Bear! Tammy S. Grimes, Dogs Deserve Better